*Left-Brained people tend to be logical and practical. They think first and feel second.

B.C. 1978. By permission of Johnny Hart and Creators Syndicate, Inc.

31 Analyze the number of your sexual encounters as a function of the frequency of your romantic gestures. Is there a correlation? (Hmm...There just might be a lesson here!)

RIGHT-BRAINED*

32 Characteristics of True Romantics: Taps into his or her creativity regularly.

Is just a little bit "naughty."

Takes love seriously- But has a great sense of humor.

Makes his or her intimate love relationship a top priority. Makes romantic gestures without ulterior motives.

Is flexible.

Celebrates sexuality.

Appreciates his or her partner's uniqueness.

Celebrates both the masculine and the feminine.

Is a pretty good mind reader.

*Right-Brained people tend to be creative and spontaneous. They feel first and think second.

Sees the world in a slightly offbeat way.

Maintains a deep, spiritual connection with his or her partner.

Is spontaneous.

Defines him or herself as a "lover"-regardless of other roles.

Remembers important dates and anniversaries.

Continuously learns and grows.

Is in touch with his or her feelings.

Pursues new and different experiences.

Gives of himself or herself without expectations.

Does lots of little things.

Gives without being asked.

33 One morning, for no particular reason, Susan quietly slipped out of bed, tiptoed to the stereo, selected "Fanfare for the Common Man" (by Aaron Copeland), cranked the volume all the way up, started the music, and gleefully leaped on a very surprised (but delighted) Michael.

Additional music that gives the same effect: "The William Tell Overture," Gioacchino Rossini "The 1812 Overture," Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky Who are the better romantics: right-brainers or left-brainers? Everyone thinks it's the right-brained, creative types by a long shot. But a great many left-brainers are tremendously romantic. It's just that the right-brainers are louder and more spontaneous about it. But those logical types are great planners of surprises and great at noticing little but important things about their partners.

ROMANCE FOR DUMMIES.

34 Practice "Even-Day/Odd-Day" Romance: On even days it's your turn to be romantic, and on odd days it's your partner's turn.

Variation on a theme: "Flip-a-Coin" Romance 35 No time-or too lazy-to wrap those gifts? Buy fancy bags and predecorated boxes for gift-wrapping presents.

36 Ask her best girlfriend-or her mother- for help. Ask her to go shopping with you (secretly!). Tell her you want to spend one afternoon shopping for a year's worth of gifts for your partner. Establish a budget, let her think about it for a week, then go shopping together.

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

-Judy Garland 37 Place a standing order with a local florist. Give him your anniversary date and her birth date, and instruct him to send flowers automatically on those dates. Also on Valentine's Day, and (if it's appropriate) on Mother's Day, and-just to be safe-have him send a bouquet once a month. Give the florist your charge card number and have him bill you automatically. This technique is for the forever-forgetful and the terminally unorganized! I know that the true romantics out there will be aghast at this suggestion, but hey, sometimes the end justifies the means.

(Shhh! Keep this one under your hat!).

ROMANCE FOR SMARTIES.

38 Write a love letter in code. Give your lover a challenge: Try a message in Morse Code (Try the message given here.) . . / . _ . . _ _ _..._ . / _ ._ _ _ _ _ . . _ Next is a simple code, created by shifting all of the letters in the alphabet one place to the right (A becomes B; B becomes C, etc.).

Efbs mpwfs:

J mpwf zpv, J bepsf zpv,

J offe zpv, J xbou zpv,

Mpwf boe ljttft,

Nf.

39 Visit a museum. Visit an art gallery. Walk a formal garden. Attend a symphony. Attend an opera.

40 (144 x 3) + (8/ x /2) Attend a lecture. Take a class together at a local college. Expanding your horizons can deepen your relationship.

Note: Operas aren't as painful as you may assume they are. So give one a try!

WHAT'S YOUR ROMANTIC "STYLE"?

(MEN).

41 Which person or character most closely matches your or your lover's style of romance? Identifying the similarities and differences can help you become more aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, and can help you express love in ways that your partner appreciates most.

The Romeo Type: Passionate and impetuous The Fred Astaire Type: Sophisticated and elegant The Humphrey Bogart Type: Tough guy with a heart of gold The Jimmy Stewart Type: The boy next door The James Bond Type: The playboy heartbreaker The Indiana Jones Type: Adventurous and charmingly bumbling The Rhett Butler Type: Arrogant but charming The Don Quixote Type: Irrepressible and outrageous The Don Juan Type: Seductive and charming The Cyrano de Bergerac Type: Witty and literary The Paul Newman Type: Rugged and quiet The James Dean Type: The rebel and bad boy The Sean Connery Type: Dashing and experienced You romantic devil, you!

The Vincent van Gogh Type: Artistic and moody The Lord Byron Type: Poet and dreamer The Frank Sinatra Type: Tough but suave The James T. Kirk Type: The adventurous seducer The Clark Gable Type: Smooth and smart.

WHAT'S YOUR ROMANTIC "STYLE"?

(WOMEN).

42 Okay ladies, it's your turn. What's your romantic style? (Guys: What is your gal's romantic style?) The Scarlett O'Hara Type: Feisty and dramatic The Meg Ryan Type: The girl next door, sweet and adorable The Juliet Type: Passionate and impetuous The Jane Eyre Type: Romantic and idealistic The Marilyn Monroe Type: Sultry and seductive The Billie Holiday Type: Artistic and loyal to a fault The Jane Seymour Type: Classic and elegant The Elizabeth Barrett Browning Type: Poetic and artistic The Cher Type: Exotic and creative The Mae West Type: Sassy and bold The Ingrid Bergman Type: Smooth and intriguing The Madonna Type: Bold and fun The Greta Garbo Type: Sensual and enigmatic Is your romantic style subtle or obvious?

"Men always want to be a woman's first love-women like to be a man's last romance."

-Oscar Wilde.

FLOWERS.

43 "A flower a day keeps the divorce lawyer away." (Overheard one evening in the Romance Class.) 44 Did you know...that different color roses have different meanings?

Chapter Theme Song:.

"This Flower,"

Kasey Chambers Red roses = Love & Passion Pink Roses = A Romantic Friendship Yellow Roses = Friendship & Respect White Roses = Purity & Adoration Fabulous gift idea for flower-lovers, nature-lovers, and art-lovers alike: Get your partner a beautiful botanical illustration that's personalized with your message or quote in calligraphy. Visit www.heartstringsdesigns.com.

It's hard to go wrong with flowers!

You single folks should pay special attention to this. Early in a relationship is often too soon to send red roses. If you're not absolutely certain that you're both madly, passionately, crazy in love-don't give red roses! Send pink or yellow.

45 Place a single flower under the windshield wiper of his car.

46.

1-800-FLOWERS, www.1800flowers.com 1-800-580-2913, www. proflowers.com 1-800-SEND-FTD, www.ftd.com.

CHOCOLATE.

47 Reliable sources report that chocolate just may really be an aphrodisiac. (Great news for chocoholics!) Chocolate contains large amounts of phenylethylamine, a chemical that also is naturally produced by the body when one is experiencing feelings of love.

48 Long-stem chocolate roses! Have a dozen shipped to your sweetie. Call Lyla's Chocolates at 415-383-8887.

49 (Inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.) Create a custom contest just for your favorite chocoholic. Make a series of Golden Tickets to insert in chocolate bar wrappers. Make the tickets redeemable for romantic gifts and gestures. If you use your imagination, this one idea could supply the two of you with romantic fun for years to come.