Wayne Hemrick asked:


Chicago is a wonderful town to live in or visit if you are a sports fan.  Teams encompassing major league baseball, football and basketball are all available in Chicago, as are a host of other types of sports teams.  When you are looking for Chicago sports tickets, you will want to check in with Chicago sports ticket brokers.  They offer the easy way to get all the Chicago sports tickets that you want.

It is summer, and everyone is thinking about picking up some Chicago baseball tickets.  It is a wonderful thing to have two outstanding baseball teams in this fabulous city.  No matter which side of the rivalry you come down on, the White Sox and the Cubs offer some intense baseball fun for their fans every time they step onto the field.  This is just one reason why Chicago baseball tickets are so popular in the Windy City.

A selection of sports tickets in Chicago would not be complete without some Chicago basketball tickets.  The Bulls play at the United Center, and are a multiple-award winning team.  Known for Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen most especially, the Bulls are a fine team to watch as they tear up the court.  You can find premium sports tickets in Chicago for the Chicago Bulls upcoming season from Chicago sports ticket brokers.  

There are other sports played in Chicago besides the always popular baseball and basketball.  If you love Nascar, you might enjoy some Chicago Nascar tickets from your Chicago sports ticket brokers.  The Super Bowl-wining Bears offer football action, and Stanley Cup winners, the Chicago Blackhawks, offer riveting hockey action at the United Center in Chicago.  The Chicago Fire plays outdoor soccer this summer at Toyota Park.  Your Chicago sports ticket brokers have tickets available for all of these outstanding teams.

Sports tickets in Chicago can also be found for several other teams.  The Chicago Sky women's professional basketball team plays at the UIC Pavilion, and the Chicago Storm indoor soccer team plays at the Sears Centre.  Other sports that fans love include lacrosse.  The Chicago Machine lacrosse team plays also at Toyota Park.  Softball fans will love to take in a game by the World Championship Chicago Bandits at Judson University.  Northeastern Illinois University is the venue to see the Chicago Lions rugby team.  If you want to try something different, why not take in a roller derby match?  The Windy City Rollers play at Cicero Stadium, and are an award-winning women's flat track roller derby team.  Chicago sports ticket brokers will have tickets to all of your favorite sports teams' events.



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Adam Mcfarland asked:


There have been thousands of sports books written throughout the years. Some have been absolute crap and most are mediocre at best, but there are that select few that remain deep-seated in our memories as classics. Below is my Top 5 of all time. There are some popular books missing - either because I don't think it is as good as everyone else, or because I haven't read it.

5. Foul Ball, By Jim Bouton - Bouton gives a candid look at a corrupt sports town. All he wants to do is keep a classic stadium alive, but local businesses and politicians oppose him for selfish reasons. They will do what's right for their businesses regardless of the effects on the community. Beyond sports, their actions also are detrimental to the health and well being of those who live there. It's amazing how greedy and selfish some people can be...and Bouton exposes them ALL.

4. Eight Men Out, By Eliot Asinof - This was a very, very interesting read and that is why I rate it so high. I am absolutely obsessed with the perplexing depth of this scandal. However Asinof presents a TON of evidence about the scandal, so much so that it can be a bit overwhelming. I probably need to go back and read it again to get the whole story down. It reads a lot like a really good history book about the Black Sox.

3. Friday Night Lights, By H.G. Bissinger - One of the things that drives me nuts about Odessa is that H.G. Bissinger wrote a very fair observation of the current state of their town and they treat him like he's the devil to this day. Rather than acknowledge that maybe they shouldn't put so much pressure on their young athletes and that maybe they needed to re-evaluate what is truly important to them, they chose to shoot the messenger. Maybe people shouldn't be taught that the most important thing in the world is a high-school football game. I applaud Bissinger for his efforts.

2. Moneyball, By Michael Lewis - This is an absolutely amazing story about success. The book is far more than baseball - it shows the value of statistical analysis in equalizing and unequal playing field. Like the cover says, it teaches the 'Art of Winning an Unfair Game'. I can't stand narrow minded baseball purists that don't see the value in what Billy Beane does. The man succeeds in spite of nearly insurmountable odds. Who couldn't learn something from him?

1. Ball Four, By Jim Bouton - This is one of the most entertaining books I've ever read. Who wouldn't enjoy reading stories about Mickey Mantle and his crazy flings? Bouton's stories were so controversial that he was banished from the Yankee community for a long time. He is so honest and down to earth that by the end of the book it feels like Bouton is one of your buddies. All sports fans NEED to read this.



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Adam Mcfarland asked:


There have been hundreds of sports video games throughout the years. In less than forty years we've gone from Pong to MLB 2K6 for the Xbox 360. But the evolution of games hasn't always meant better games. Just because a game has flashier interfaces and better graphics, it doesn't necessarily make for good gameplay. That's the reason that many PS2 and Xbox games are doomed to linger in discount bins at your local game store, while classics like NHL '94 and Tecmo Super Bowl continued to be obsessed over by sports fans. Here's my Top 10 of all time:

10. Jordan vs. Bird (NES) - Was the one-on-one gameplay that great? No, not really. But the game was innovative with the three point competition and slam dunk contest long before it showed up anywhere else. For that alone it deserves a spot in the Top 10.

9. Madden 2005 (PS2, Xbox, GC) - The jump from '04 to '05 was HUGE. '05 introduced the hit-stick control and defensive playmaker to bring the defensive control on par with the offense. Franchise mode is pretty much the same as '04, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. My favorite thing to do is build a team from scratch. I love taking the worst team in the league and building them into a powerhouse. You can move them to a new city and build a new stadium, then draft real college players from NCAA '05. Overall, I liked this game more than any other Madden. 2006 just didn't improve upon this game enough for me.

8. Punch-Out (NES) - what kid born in the late 70's or early 80's DIDN'T spend hours on end trying to beat Tyson with Little Mac?

7. Madden ‘94 (Genesis, SNES) - Based on memory this game was awesome. I remember being able to play with all the NFL teams and a bunch of classic teams. It was one of my favorite sports games growing up. That said, I played it recently and it sucks. It can't even come close to holding it's own against Tecmo Super Bowl. The passing is unrealistic, and the running consists of repeatedly hitting the spin button while tacklers bounce off your runner. It's this high just because of how much I remember enjoying it as a kid.

6. NBA Live ‘95 (Genesis, SNES) - This game might not have been realistic at all, but it was insanely fun to run up and down the court firing up threes and throwing up alley-oops. The fact that it was the first NBA game by EA with every team and every arena also scores it points. Not to mention, this was the first game with the 3/4 angle camera.

5. NFL Blitz (Arcade) - The football version of NBA Jam. Fast scoring, late hits, and crazy rules like being able to throw multiple forward passes behind the line of scrimmage make this game great. The arcade version was waaaay better than the PS or N64 versions.

4. NBA Jam (Arcade) - Between the arcade version and the console versions, I've played a ton of NBA Jam. It is one of the most unique games ever. Who didn't enjoy beating the crap out of people in mid-air or hitting three after three when they were on fire? This game totally rocked. The best part was getting all of the codes and playing with mascots and Bill Clinton.

3. Little League Baseball (NES) - I don't know why this game doesn't get more attention as one of the best NES sports games. The gameplay is the best of any NES baseball game - pitching, hitting, and fielding all are simple and feel relatively realistic. Plus there's just something fun and unique about playing with little leaguers. As far as I know this is the only little league game ever, although I could be wrong. Adding to the excitement, certain teams are significantly better than others. Want a challenge? Try winning a tournament with Italy, the worst team in the game. The replay value of LLB is unbelievable; I still play it to this day.

2. NHL ‘94 (Genesis, SNES) - I love modern NHL games as much as the next guy, but this game is the best ever. I still play it ALL THE TIME. The quality of play is amazing. Take away the easy wrap-around goals and the gameplay is amazingly real, especially considering how old this game is. Oh, and for the record, they are playing NHL ‘93 in Swingers but talking about the removal of fighting in NHL ‘94. Weird huh?

1. Tecmo Super Bowl (NES) - This game was far ahead of it's time - editable playbooks and season long stat tracking were so cool back then. The gameplay is far from realistic but amazingly equal. For that reason, the game is still popular and there are tons of people who still play in online leagues. The advent of emulators has allowed for the editing of rosters - I've played versions of the game with rosters from as recent as 2004. There are also versions with college rosters and USFL rosters. The weird little gameplay quirks like Bo Jackson being impossible to stop, fumbles bouncing all over the place, choosing defensive plays by guessing the offensive play, 100 yard passes, etc make the game MORE fun. This game will never, ever get old.



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William Decosta asked:


Sports betting is a very popular practice, and quite a huge number of people have raked in some serious money on this one. Whether you are betting on a casino game or on your favorite sports, the key is to make informed decisions.

In every betting game, there is some amount of gambling. When you place a wager, you are gambling that the odds will work in your favor. But that is not to say that a bettor is a gambler. There is a crucial difference between the two. A gambler simply wants to win irrespective of the odds. So, he continues to gamble in the face of all indications to the contrary. A bettor is one who has a strategy of making more money from the game than what he came in with.

Online sports betting is one of the best ways to make money online. But before you can make money, you need to understand that sports betting requires some amount of hard work in making the right bet. There are certain rules that every bettor has to know:

*The casino never loses even when you beat it.

*Professional sports bettors work very hard studying their game and preparing their bets. They spend a lot of time studying the history of teams, analyzing playing surface, reading the weather and understanding emotional buildup. Based on their investigations, they prepared huge databases of information. In fact, sports betting hinges on the kind of information that would drive a mathematician wild. If you want to win, develop a niche and study it closely.

*Every sport has a favorite and an underdog. A coin-toss situation is very rare.

*High scoring sports have a spread (eg: football), while low scoring sports have a money line (eg: soccer). The spread refers to the margin of victory by which the favorites will outscore the underdogs.

*Different people bet for different reasons. Some do it to support their favorite teams; so they bet     regardless of the point spread. Others bet to make money. There are people who make a     comfortable living through sports betting, though this segment of people is wafer thin. Generally, you find savvy bettors in this group.

*Proper money-management is an important part of sports betting though it is often overlooked. Stick with your bankroll. Remember that you are not on a sprint. If you use all your money in one go, you are more likely to become rash.

*Chasing a bet is a losing proposition in every situation.

*Always, always get the best line. Even a single point difference may prove expensive.

*Online sports betting is serious business. Take it seriously and indulge in it with a razor-sharp mind.

*Research your sports book thoroughly.



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Low Jeremy asked:


Gone are the days when women who excel in sports are thought of as tomboys. With the rise of glamorous and fashionable sports icon such as Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis, it seems that women have learned to combine fashion and sports with flair. Just because you are into sports or you are wearing sports gear does not mean that you can't be chic. You can look good and still look ready for the kill!

Below are some tips on how to balance out fashion and sports.

Don't be afraid of colors

Putting colors into your sports apparel and uniform is one way to put fashion into your otherwise drab outfit. Mix bold colors like reds, pinks and yellows with basic neutral ones such as blacks and whites for a more elegant combination.

You can also play with glittering colors like golds and silvers but don't put so much. Outlines and hemlines in these colors are enough. Don't put them all over your outfit.

Design differently

One of the things that makes a uniform stand out is the way it was designed. Of course, you cannot just wear something really new without first considering its suitability and functionality for the game. If you can, it is better if you can design the outfit yourself as you know what works for you and what does not. You can play with the cut and the fabrics. In fact, you can combine fabrics.

For instance, you can put one fabric for the top and another for the bottom. If this cannot work, you can always add fabrics on the hemline. Patterns are also great designs that you can incorporate into your uniform. If putting a separate pattern is too much for the uniform, you can choose a fabric that already has a wonderful pattern and have that fabric outfitted for you.

It's in the details

Putting really intricate details on your outfit is one way of being fashionable without sacrificing much of the look of your sports uniform. Designers can put in embroidered hemlines or necklines. You can also have flowers, butterflies or whatever icons you want emblazoned into your outfit.

Other great details that you can add to sports apparel are ribbons and buttons that are strategically placed. Of course, this depends on the sports that you are in. There are sports where buttons on clothes can interfere with the game; so be very careful also in putting too much designs in your wardrobe.



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Joe Goertz asked:


There are many types of motor sports and most of them involve some type of race. Some of the motor sports enjoyed by Americans include auto racing, truck racing, boat racing, motorcycle racing, as well as ATV racing. Some other motor sports include tractor and truck pulling, and while these events don't necessarily involve a race, some type of competition always exists.

Motor sport fans who just can't get enough of automobile racing have a diversity of different type of racing to choose from, all of which include different types of cars and different rules and regulations that govern this particular motor sport. Each individual type of automobile racing also has a specific type of track that the race is held one. Some types of automobile racing include NASCAR, drag racing, endurance racing, Formula One, off road, mud racing, midget racing, modified car racing as well as rally races. Fans of this motor sport are excited to see their favorite drivers reach top speeds, have their cars perform well and enter the winners circle at the end of the race.

Motorcycle racing is another motor sport enjoyed by many, and also includes various types of racing. There are races for speed bikes, drag bikes, dirt bikes and mini bikes. Some motorcycles are raced on an oval track, while others are run down a straight and narrow track. Dirt bike racing is often held on a dirt filled track, sometimes inside a large arena, and the grounds the drivers must cover include hills, hair pin turns and steep inclines. All of this makes for quite an exciting spectacle for the motor sport fan.

Boat racing is yet another motor sport enjoyed by fans as well as by those who engage in the fast paced, often dangerous motor sport. For those who enjoy boat racing, hydroplane boats are the watercraft of choice. This type of motor sport can be traced back to the early 1900's, when powerboats started becoming popular. Today, these particular boats can reach speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, and every day a new driver is trying to beat the odds at breaking one of the water speed records.

Truck racing is also a popular motor sport, and basically has four different categories; the Craftsman Truck Series, monster trucks, mud racing and off-road racing. Truck races can be held on a straight track, on an oval track, across many miles during an off-road race, or in an arena or roped off area that contains mud pits. Truck pulls are very exciting to watch, and is a motor sport with many fans. During a truck pull, two trucks back up against one another and a big, heavy-duty rope is tied between the bumpers. The first truck to pull the other truck over a predetermined line in the center of the pit is the winner.



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Jonathon Hardcastle asked:


During the 20th century, sports took on an increasingly international flavor; aside from the world championships for individual sports, like soccer's World Cup, large-scale international meets, such as the Pan-American games and the Commonwealth games, were inaugurated. Sports have correspondingly become increasingly politicized, as shown in the boycott of the 1980 Moscow games by Western nations and the retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles games by Soviet-bloc nations, an exchange brought on by Soviet actions in Afghanistan.

Politics directly related with economic issues, influence the course of action one country might choose against another and affect sports as they are a vital part of a nation's role in the global scene. Individual countries during the recent past have boycotted sport events or used them for propaganda reasons and thus, imposed their political views affecting the global scene. Due to the worlds' interest in sport, the power to influence the public becomes a huge issue and has been the reason for many ‘country-battles' in the recent past. At the same time, the commercialism that accompanied spectator sports gradually engulfed both amateur and professional sports. By the late 20th century, the televising of athletic events had made sports big business. On the other hand, expanding public concern with personal physical health led to mass participation, not necessarily competitive, in sports like running, hiking, cycling, martial arts, and gymnastics. Athletic activity by women expanded, especially after political action in the 1960s and 1970s opened doors to many forms of competition and an increased share of public funding for sports.

Economic integration and free trade have and surely will, continue to affect the sports and fitness industry in the future. Countries use sports either to impose their economic power over others, or to elevate their current role. Due to sport's great costs, counties' governments engage themselves in promoting and supporting these economic needs by authorising special public monetary programs or by seeking private financing. Corporate sponsorships are today a reality, as companies spend about $6 billion annually sponsoring activities ranging from the Olympic Games to the World Cup. The popularity of sponsored events is due to several reasons. They enhance the reputation and image of the sponsor, they provide a focal point for marketing efforts and sales campaigns, and they generate publicity and media coverage. More cost-effective than advertising, sponsorships include prestige and at times target a worldwide audience. Broadcasting rights, ticket sales, merchandising, and sponsorships, are the main reasons of sport's unique role in a country's strategy.

Living today in the information age, with amazing revolutions in technology and communication, sport experts believe that sport is greatly influenced by the actions of individual nations, as well as by the international trends that influence the world economy. Moreover, being a spectacle, sport athletes have become professionals that through them their country's culture is promoted and their achievements contribute to the country's fame. Thus, the sport and fitness industries, as part of our Global Society, have become lately an issue of great concern. Studies worldwide provide valuable information about the political, geographical, economic, cultural, social, aesthetic and historical aspects of sports and it is firmly believed that they will continue ‘shaping' one another in the years to come.



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Jonathon Hardcastle asked:


Politics directly related with economic issues, influence the course of action one country might choose against another and certainly affect the role of sports, since they are a vital part of a nation's role in the global scene. Through boycotting sports events or using athletes for propaganda purposes, individual countries have tried over past practices to impose their political views and affect the world's understanding. But especially because of the immense public's interest in international athletic events, influencing political views and gaining valuable exchange power becomes an important issue on a nation's sport agenda, while the danger of engagement in 'country-battles' in the international relations field, does not always count as a serious disadvantage.

At the same time, the commercialism that accompanies spectator sports gradually engulfs both amateur and professional events. By the late 20th century, the televising of athletic events had made sports as the 'new' big business. On the other hand, the expanding public concern on personal physical health led to mass participation, not necessarily competitive, in sports like running, hiking, cycling, martial arts, and gymnastics. Athletic activity by women expanded, especially after political action in the 1960s and 1970s opening close doors of the past to many forms of competition and an increased share of public funding for sports.

Private interests for profit and publicity work alongside with more global issues like economic integration and free trade, and as they have already proved they will surely continue to affect sports future role. Countries use sports either to impose their economic power over others, or to elevate their current one. Due to sports' great costs, governments engage themselves in promoting and supporting these economic needs by authorising special public monetary programs or by seeking private financing (lecture notes). Corporate sponsorships are today a reality, as companies spend about $6 billion annually sponsoring activities ranging from the Olympic Games to the World Cup. The popularity of sponsored events is increasing due to several reasons. They enhance the reputation and image of the sponsor, they provide a focal point for marketing efforts and sales campaigns, and they generate publicity and media coverage. More cost-effective than advertising, sponsorships include prestige and at times target a worldwide audience. Broadcasting rights, ticket sales, merchandising, and sponsorships, are the main reasons of sport's unique role for a country's strategy.

Historically proven, sport has acted as a liaison between nations and contributed to their evolution. Beginning with the sociological, psychological and physiological aspects of the human nature, sport has gained the praise of people worldwide, as it has contributed to their well being. Group-oriented, since in order to be a winner one has to compete, sport brings people closer together and generates team-spirit along with mind and physical awareness. Moreover, living today in the information age, sport experts believe that sport is greatly influenced by the actions of individual nations, as well as by the international trends that influence the world economy. As sport is always a spectacle, sport athletes have become professional ambassadors that through them their country's culture is promoted and their achievements contribute to its fame. Sports in this global society has become lately an issue of great concern and studies worldwide provide valuable information about the political, geographical, economic, cultural, social, aesthetic and historical aspects of sport that will 'shape' its future role.



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Low Jeremy asked:


As Reese Witherspoon's character in Legally Blonde says "Endorphins make you happy." This statement propelled a lot of people to get into sports because aside from exercise sports also produce endorphins. In this increasingly cynic world, we all need a dose of endorphins to keep us in within a positive perspective.

There are so many sports to choose from so there is no excuse to get into sports. The perpetual I can't can be eradicated when you are staring at hundreds of sports up for bid. The key here is to try and try until you find that one perfect sport that you will be so passionate about. In the end, more than the endorphins that will make you happy you will thank your chosen sport for an overall better life.

It all starts with trying out a sport. You can try it alone or drag along a few willing friends to make it more fun. If it does not work the first time then try it for one more time, if it still doesn't give you the kind of passion you want to feel then move to another sport. If club hopping ahs become such a phenomenon then why not sports hopping. Eventually there will be that one sport that no matter how sore your body feels can still leave you wanting for more. When you have done hat, it is time to look for the right sports gear and sports apparel.

Just like in business, you have to suit up for when you got to the local gym or the health club. So look around and observe what the other people are wearing. If you like what you see and want to be safe then buy exactly the same set but try to accentuate it with your own touch by choosing more vibrant colors for instance.

The most important thing is that you choose a comfortable sports apparel so it would be easier to do those winning moves. As for purchasing the right sports gears, you might have to check with your trainer or any person knowledgeable about the sport you want to pursue before making a purchase.

Sports gear affect a performance a lot so buy those that are right for your level anyway you can always advance in terms of capability and by then you can already spend more gears because of more intricate technologies needed.



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Thomas Bronson asked:


Whatever a gift basket?s purpose may be, there is just something very feminine about gift baskets. With the presence of ribbons, bows, beautiful packaging and crepe paper, it?s no wonder these baskets captivates the females? attention. Therefore it is safe to say that these baskets are more of a big hit among the ladies, but not as much for the guys.

Currently, there is a new kind of gift baskets turning up at the stores, hoping to strike it big with the male species. Good response has been recorded for these new gift ideas, encouraging the service providers to invent a totally separate range of gift baskets solely for men.

Just like any normal gift baskets, foods are among the things to be included in them. This is hoped to interest the target recipients, as there is the old saying that the way to a man?s heart has and always will be through his stomach!

Service providers have definitely taken this gift basket industry to a new level altogether. By putting together the element of a guy?s favorite pastime with the element of food in a basket, it certainly makes for a great combination that would make any guy on earth a happy man!

Just think of a relaxing hazy summer day?and your man is thinking of how nice it would be to have a barbecue session going on. Put a smile on his face by surprising him with a barbecue basket delivered right to the doorstep! A basket containing all the tools he might need to get a terrific outdoor grilling session running would definitely put a smile on his face. You could also sign him up with one of the Meat of the Months club to have such baskets delivered right to your home. Either way, you will end up with a very happy husband and probably a thumbs-up from your mother-in-law for your effort!

If your man is a golf enthusiast, you can find a nicely packaged golf gift basket as a gesture to compliment him after an exceptionally good game or to restore his spirits if he had a rough day on the field. These gift baskets are sometimes packed in a mini golf bags or you can go for other various designs available, and usually consists of tees and golf balls, along with some snacks that can be consumed during the game.

If your man is a fan of those team-based sports such as basketball, football and baseball, you?re in luck! The gift baskets made for this group of people are usually packed according to the team colours and the contents can consist of the team memorabilia such as mini mascots, banners, flags, t-shirts and caps, along with junk food. If you are willing to splurge on that gift basket, why not include limited edition items or collectors? items such as baseball cards or even a basketball that has been signed by one of the players. You can be confident that the next time your man is going for that Yankees game, he will be completely geared up to really enjoy the game!

Worried that your man does not enjoy any of the sports mentioned or does not even like being outdoor? Don?t be! There is a wide range of gift baskets to choose from, as gift baskets for men are certainly not restricted to sports gift baskets or to those who love the outdoors. If your man prefers to watch DVD or play a nice round or two poker games with his friends, relax, as finding a gift basket that suits your man is still possible, even if he enjoys a more refined pursuits such as smoking cigars in the drawing room after dinner.

Service providers are so thorough in their effort to develop baskets catering to specific tastes that almost anything is possible these days. Thus, the sort of baskets available range from those for super bikers to gifts for metrosexual males. So, whether your man is the sort that enjoys nothing more than an exciting paperback in one hand and a bowl of peanuts in the other or the sort that revels in a relaxing seaweed facial mask, there ought to be a gift basket befitting him.

It is a formula that is sure to be successful ? is something that can be said about male gift baskets. First, there are the evident benefits of ordering one for Father?s Day, and having a basket delivered to your husband/son/boyfriend might make him see that you are all for his leisure pastime. It is undeniable that this is a much better than having a quarrel on how much time is being spent away on weekends. However, once the resentment is gone, he might just surprise you by taking a pass on that fishing trip just so that he could spend the day shopping with you! Of course, a suitable gift basket might be needed to celebrate this occasion too.



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