(Southern Living) -- When I was 5, my parents went to a conference on Hilton Head Island and let me tag along, leaving my brothers landlocked in central Mississippi. Two memories stand out from my first encounter with the watery majesty of this Southern icon. Hilton Head Island's relaxed atmosphere is ideal for families. For starters, it's the first place I ever heard the term "market price." Daddy encouraged me to eat whatever I wanted at restaurants -- no kid's menu here -- so I tried my hand at swordfish. I figured anything so fresh they couldn't put a price on it until the day it was served had to be good. And for years, I ordered based on that idea. From the right side of the menu. If it was fresh (and expensive), it had to be the best. More boats than cars Second, water was everywhere. I'd been to the beach before, but never an actual island. It seemed like Hilton Head had more boats than my hometown had cars. And even then, I understood that the marinas were the real lifeblood of the community. On my most recent visit to Hilton Head, my brothers and their wives joined me, while my parents stayed home with the gaggle of grandkids. The tables had turned. But I discovered a few constants remain: From fresh cobia (available only in May and June) to wild shrimp caught in local waters, ordering "market price" from the menu isn't a bad way to go. Water is everywhere. And each marina celebrates the spirit of the island with its own special style. Explore them, one by one. SouthernLiving.com: A coastal S.C. retreat Harbour Town: The classic Known for its candy-striped, red-and-white lighthouse, the Harbour Town marina is easily the most-touristed waterfront on Hilton Head. Large yachts moor behind the newly expanded seawall, shops stock the requisite "I heart Hilton Head" souvenirs, and water sport outfitters launch Jet Skis and hoist Para-Sails in Calibogue Sound. The waterside restaurants don't shine for their innovative cuisine, but they're worth a stop for the prime real estate -- westward-facing Harbour Town is one of the best spots on the island to catch the sunset. SouthernLiving.com: Top 10 budget getaways While there: Hard-bottomed Zodiac boats crouch closer to the water than a traditional boat does. We booked a one-hour tour with H2O Sports (www.h2osportsonline.com or [843] 671-4386) and spent the afternoon watching dolphins play. Broad Creek Marina: The local You don't get more homegrown than Broad Creek, a modest port just off the Cross Island Parkway, where area residents drydock their boats. At Up the Creek Pub, a rickety seafood shack with killer views of the water, we stopped in for a bite (food=fried) and lingered on the deck for (my brother, Jeremy, might argue in spite of) the nightly strum-fest. www.broadcreekmarinahh.com or (843) 681-3625 While there: Join Capt. John Maires, a huge Buffett fan with a sly smile, a weathered face, and a twinkling laugh, for a sunset sail on his 45-foot sloop Cheers. www.cheerscharters.com or (843) 671-1800 South Beach: The beach bum I thought we were going to have to drag my always-up-for-a-good-time brother, Prentiss, away from South Beach. This laid-back harbor feels like a Northeastern-style fishing village, complete with blue clapboard buildings connected by a sprawling weathered deck. It's New England meets Caribbean cool, polished with Southern charm. The omnipresent music ranges from Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley by the DJ to jam-friendly local bands. Dancing is optional, but you won't want to be the only one left sitting. SouthernLiving.com: Great summer getaway While there: Rain or shine, locals and tourists mingle in the late afternoon over heavy-handed cocktails; ice-cold brews; and steaming, hot-boiled shrimp at the open-air

What does the harbor at South Beach feel like?

What kind of atmospere will you find at the South beach harbor?

At which marina do residents drydock their boats?

Where is one of  the best spots to watch the sunset?

Answer: a Northeastern-style fishing village,

Answer: Broad Creek, a modest port just off the Cross Island Parkway,

Answer: Broad Creek,

Answer: Northeastern-style fishing village,

Answer: feels like a Northeastern-style fishing village,

Answer: Broad Creek,

Answer: Harbour

Answer: westward-facing Harbour Town

Summary:
Harbour Town is one of the best spots on the island to catch the sunset .
Broad Creek Marina is where area residents drydock their boats .
The harbor at South Beach feels like a Northeastern-style fishing village .


(Southern Living) -- You don't have to stay at these tony hotels to experience the best of their lobbies. The Round Robin Bar at the Willard InterContinental is a great place to eavesdrop. The Willard InterContinental What to expect: A throwback to grand hotels of the 19th century near the White House. It's where powerful people still go to make powerful decisions. Crowned heads rest on the Willard's pillows. Where to spend your dollars: Sip a mint julep or sample a single malt whiskey in the Round Robin Bar and Scotch Bar alongside power brokers. It may not be polite to say so, but this is a great place to eavesdrop. "The next day's work starts between 6 and 8 p.m.," says Jim Hewes, bartender there for 22 years. "The Round Robin gets a drift on tomorrow's news." The inside story: D.C. insiders strut the lobby's Peacock Alley where you people-watch while nibbling on tea and scones ($39). 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.; washington.intercontinental.com or 1-800-327-0200. SouthernLiving.com: D.C. Travel Planner The Hay-Adams What to expect: Formal and classic yet balanced with a boutiquish and intimate atmosphere. Walk out the front door to see Lafayette Park and the White House. Where to spend your dollars: The basement bar, Off the Record, attracts politicos from the White House and the nearby World Bank. "Always sit at the bar," says John Boswell, the friendly 12-year veteran bartender. "The half-moon shape tends to get people into conversations." Patrons stick to the classics -- martinis, Manhattans and wines. The inside story: The Sunday morning talk show hosts and hotel guests rub elbows at the extravagant late-morning brunch in The Lafayette dining room ($65, reservations required). 16th and H Streets NW.; www.hayadams.com or (202) 638-6600. SouthernLiving.com: Cheap eats in D.C. St. Regis What to expect: A meeting of the old and new: luxe gilt lobby with endless Italian marble floors vs. leather-and-chrome restaurant bar helmed by celebrity chef Alain Ducasse. Where to spend your dollars: Settle into the purple Bar at St. Regis. Populated by admiring foodies, the bar pours the coolest drinks. "Our Trial by Berry (Champagne, house-infused vanilla and nutmeg vodka, muddled blackberries) is the favorite," says Marianna Alfa, restaurant director. "The chef's slider duo -- two burgers, one beef, the other boudin -- is our rock and roll item." The inside story: Mixologist Mia Baila creates D.C.'s most unusual drink: Champagne adorned with pearls of Cointreau and gold flecks. 923 16th and K Streets NW.; starwoodhotels.com/stregis or (202) 638-2626. SouthernLiving.com: Best things about the mall in Washington D.C. Park Hyatt What to expect: A sleek Euro feel of glass, natural fibers and golden-hued wood. A favorite among world travelers who trust the Park Hyatt brand and prefer the energy at the cusp of Georgetown. Where to spend your dollars: Cozy in at the Tea Cellar, presided over by tea expert Marie Hatakeyama. Those seeking a sturdier drink slip into glass-enclosed booths at the bar. "It's like having a private conversation on display," says frequent visitor Chris Gieckel, adding that the pear martini is a house favorite. "I'm not known for having girly drinks, but I'll order a second one." The inside story: Purchase your favorite tea from the tasting to prepare at home, including vintage brews. 24th and M Streets NW.; parkhyattwashington.com or (202) 789-1234 Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com

what should you sip at the round robin bar?

Who can you join for a drink at Off the Record in the Hay-Adams hotel?

What drink can you sip at the Willard InterContinental's Round Robin Bar?

Answer: slider duo

Answer: Round Robin Bar and Scotch Bar

Answer: a mint julep or sample a single malt whiskey in the

Answer: politicos from the White House and the nearby World Bank.

Answer: Bar at St. Regis.

Answer: mint julep

Summary:
Sip a mint julep at the Willard InterContinental's Round Robin Bar .
Join White House politicos for a drink at Off the Record in the Hay-Adams hotel .
Try a custom cocktail at Bar at St. Regis .


(Sunset) -- '"I had such a crush on him when I was a kid," says my friend Didi Linburn, pigtails peeking out from beneath her pink ski helmet rather than the wool pompom hat she wore as a kid. I peer into the tiny ski shop at the Alta Peruvian Lodge and catch a glimpse of a cute guy in glasses behind the counter. "No idea how old he is," she says, "but I've seen him here every winter since I was 15." Didi and Jeff Linburn on the slopes Twenty-two years later, and Didi and her teenage crush are still here? I've yet to even take a run down the powder white slopes, but I already sense that Alta, Utah, just might be as special as everyone says it is -- including my self-proclaimed "Altaholic" husband. Tired of not getting an invite to his annual "guys' trip," and admittedly jealous about the other love in his life, I decided to tag along on Didi's annual father-daughter jaunt. And finally experience for myself this almighty Alta -- with just seven lifts (and not much else) spread across 2,200 acres of heart-pumping hikes and narrow chutes, chest-deep powder, and total lack of pretension. Skis slung over our shoulders, we walk out the weathered wooden door of the lodge, taking in a deep breath of fresh -- albeit thin -- mountain air. I'm instantly happy to be here at 10,550 feet, on leased U.S. Forest Service land at the resolutely un-corporate resort, where faded one-pieces outnumber Bogner jackets, chairlifts seat at most four across, and five no-frills lodges, scattered up Little Cottonwood Canyon, sleep 1,200 skiers, tops. Skiers. Not shoppers. Not ski bunnies. Sunset.com: Plan your trip to Alta And, above all, not snowboarders. As the mountain motto goes, Alta is for skiers. During my stay, I see it flaunted on banners, baseball caps, bumper stickers. Alta is, after all, one of just three resorts left in the country that ban boarders, since Taos Ski Valley opened its slopes to all in March. Geared up, Didi, her dad, and I creep along in a bar-less triple chair, surrounded by nothing save blue sky and the towering peaks of the Wasatch Range. "Same as it was in the '60s," says Geoff Linburn, who first came to Alta from California in search of what he'd heard was the best snow in the West. Back then, lift tickets cost $8, and there were only five slowly moving chairlifts, but apart from building a couple more and raising ticket prices to a reasonable $64, Alta remains Alta. Didi's dad smiles. "Still the best snow in the West." A whopping 500 inches annually of light-as-a-feather powder -- and I can't wait to try it. But that will take some effort. Without a convenient tram to Alta's best terrain, the limited number of skiers allowed uphill work for every turn with an almost perverse pleasure. As a typically lazy, play-it-safe sort of skier, I'm intimidated. Is this really worth it? We hop off the Sugarloaf chair and onto a big "dump" (a record-setting blessing of snow) and join the parade of people inching their way, single file, up, up, up, and gliding precariously, over, over, over, only to climb again. Is this really worth it? I think to myself, sweating in the snow. I contemplate taking off my skis, but then I look up. "Aw, it's a bootpacker!" one guy yells at another fellow who's stomping with his skis on his shoulders rather than suffering the steep sidestep with everyone else. I press on, inspired by the unspoken camaraderie on the traverse toward Devil's Castle -- a wide-open bowl and depository of powder -- and the shared anticipation among strangers bound by

How many resorts in the country ban snow boarders?

Answer: three

Answer: 2,200

Answer: Peruvian Lodge

Answer: 2,200

Answer: 2,200

Answer: three

Summary:
Alta is spread across 2,200 acres of heart-pumping hikes and narrow chutes .
The resort is one of just three in the country that ban snow boarders .
Guests at the resolutely un-corporate resort stay in five no-frills lodges .


(Sunset) -- An insider shares five top experiences in Sausalito, California, you won't read about in guidebooks. Waldo Point Harbor is one of several scenic houseboat communities in Sausalito. Off-the-path pier You'll want a bike or a car to get to the Fort Baker fishing pier, which sits in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge and has unbeatable views across the bay to San Francisco. In summer, foghorns bellow loudly from here, but in December, fishermen and pelicans are more the order of the day. A short walk north is eco-luxe Cavallo Point: The Lodge at the Golden Gate, which was big news in town when it debuted last summer. Even if you don't stay there, stop for a glass of wine in the clubby Farley Bar. Locals' beach Schoonmaker Beach is a bit farther from downtown, but still doable on foot and well worth finding. My son and I have whiled away many sunny mornings here, wading in the bay and watching sailboats. The beach bumped up to our number one favorite in April with the addition of Le Garage, a French bistro steps from the sand and, hands down, the best new restaurant in town in ages. Grab a seat next to the roll-up glass garage door and definitely try the mussels Provençale. Sunset.com: 20 perfect summer trips Undiscovered hike You can't spend time in Sausalito and not make it to the Marin Headlands, just a mile outside town -- it'd be like going to Yosemite and missing Half Dome. So join the parade of cars winding up twisty Conzelman Road to Hawk Hill, but don't stop there. Drive a bit farther to the beach parking area on your left, and you'll see signs for the trail to Black Sands Beach. The 0.75-mile hike down (slightly rickety) steps is sure to put the rosy in your cheeks, and the narrow strip of beach is windy, wild and stunning. My secret? Instead of starting from the beach parking area, I like to drive past the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, turn right on Bunker Road, and start at the historic rifle range. It's worth the extra 1.5 miles over the ridge for the views you'll have all to yourself. Sunset.com: Our amazing national parks Best shopping street There's more to Sausalito shopping than the chintzy souvenir shops that line the main drag downtown. Just a 10-minute walk north of the waterfront lies leafy Caledonia Street, home to several locally owned galleries and framing shops, plus Flying Oliver Books, where we always find deals on used cookbooks. I love to look at the black-and-white photography at Sausalito Picture Framing and pick up letterpress holiday cards and fashionable ribbons and papers for present wrapping at Pinestreet Papery. And one block to the east on Bridgeway is McCloud Design, with streamlined modern container gardens, handcrafted fountains and outdoor furniture. Sunset.com: Outdoor dining rooms Hidden harbor Sausalito wouldn't be Sausalito without its houseboats. Among several houseboat communities in town, Waldo Point Harbor stands out for its hilarious, only-in-Sausalito message board at the harbor entrance. On my all-star list: "Lost: Plywood dinghy, battered blue" (alongside a charmingly rakish drawing of the poor lost boat) and "Want to exchange your houseboat with mine in Paris for a week?" Impressive feats of container gardening -- succulents, roses, lemon trees -- line the boardwalk, and residents are often out watering plants in the early morning. Truth be told, I did once catch a minibus of Japanese tourists being let off in this area, but that was in the height of summer, and they seemed to walk right past Issaquah Dock, our favorite spot. Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com

How far from the waterfront is Caledonia Street?

What is a 10-minute walk from the waterfront?

Answer: one of several scenic houseboat communities in Sausalito.

Answer: a 10-minute walk

Answer: watching sailboats.

Answer: Caledonia

Answer: Caledonia Street,

Answer: Cavallo Point: The Lodge at the Golden Gate,

Answer: Schoonmaker Beach

Answer: Schoonmaker Beach

Summary:
Wade in the bay and watch sailboats at Schoonmaker Beach .
Stroll through Waldo Point Harbor, one of Sausalito's houseboat communities .
Shop Caledonia Street, a 10-minute walk north of the waterfront .


(Sunset) -- Great things to do and see, and memories (you can still make) of summer at the lake. With clear blue water and picturesque boulders, Sand Harbor is the place to swim in Lake Tahoe. The scene Families dot the beaches, and boaters dominate the lake; traffic slows on State 89, and the Truckee River overflows with inner-tubers. Still, from North Lake to Emerald Bay, and South Lake to Incline Village, you'll find plenty of peace, quiet, and to-die-for beauty. Cruise the lake Skip the stern-wheeler paddleboats packed with tourists for a wine-and-cheese sunset sail on the Tahoe Cruz. Departs daily from Tahoe City Marina in Tahoe City, California; $60; reservations required; tahoesail.com or 530/583-6200. Walk on water Stand-up paddleboarding is the latest craze. Give it a shot, or go for a sit-on-top kayak from Tahoe Paddle & Oar (paddleboard or kayak rental from $20 per hour; 8299 N. Lake Blvd./State 28, Kings Beach, California; tahoepaddle.com or 530/581-3029). Sunset.com: Lake Tahoe landmarks Jump in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park's Sand Harbor area is popular for its gentle turquoise coves and fine white sand. Get there before 10 a.m. to avoid the crowds. $8 per vehicle; on State 28, 3 miles south of Incline Village, NV; parks.nv.gov or 775/831-0494. Skinny-dip For a quiet swim, hike 0.5 mile to Secret Cove and Chimney Beach, where those who hate tan lines like to hang out. Trailhead is off State 28, 2 1/2 miles south of Sand Harbor; 530/543-2600. Wine and dine Christy Hill serves a killer chile relleno with an equally killer lake view. (Closed Mon; 115 Grove St., Tahoe City, California; average entrée price around $30; 530/583-8551). The deck at Sunnyside Resort has a party scene and the best Hula Pie this side of Hawaii. (Most entrées between $20 and $30; 1850 W. Lake Blvd./State 89, 2 miles south of Tahoe City, California; 530/583-7200). Sunset.com: Make your own lake dinner menu Hang with the locals Built in 1859, Chambers Landing Bar and Restaurant is set at the end of a pier. Arrive by boat or car, but if you're the designated driver, steer clear of the Chambers Punch. Most entrées $12 or less; 6400 W. Lake Blvd./State 89, Homewood, California; 530/525-9190. Stay in a cabin Carved wooden bears are everywhere at the woodsy Cottage Inn. From $158, including breakfast; just south of Tahoe City, California; 800/581-4073. Sunset.com: The West's best national parks Splurge on a room Book a suite at the West Shore Cafe & Inn, then wait for a bald eagle to fly past your window. Rooms from $350; Homewood, California; 530/525-5200. Pitch a tent Easy swimming access and hot showers make for blissful family camping at D.L. Bliss State Park (from $25; reserveamerica.com or 800/444-7275). For views, the best sites are 148, 149, 151, 153, and 156. If Bliss is full, try Nevada Beach Campground, on the east side (from $28; recreation.gov or 877/444-6777). Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com

What type of things can you expect to do at the resort?

Answer: on the Tahoe Cruz.

Answer: Secret Cove and Chimney Beach,

Answer: Sunnyside Resort

Answer: Lake Tahoe.

Answer: Sunnyside Resort

Answer: plenty of peace, quiet, and to-die-for beauty.

Summary:
Consider a wine-and-cheese sunset sail on the Tahoe Cruz .
Take a dip at Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park's Sand Harbor .
Try the best Hula Pie this side of Hawaii at Sunnyside Resort .


(Sunset) -- Hawaii may seem a world away, but there are plenty of big waves, tiny bubbles and tiki-style spots closer to home. Here are some San Diego-based ways to catch the Hawaiian spirit.

Paradise Point Resort and Spa is a waterfront oasis with a Balinese-style spa and five swimming pools.

Make your own lei

If a luau is on your tropical to-do list, the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers a demo and the materials to design a floral garland for the event. A needle and thread, a pile of seasonal flowers such as plumerias, orchids, mini carnations and tuberose, and the rest is up to you. The resort's resident tropical macaw and cockatoo birds might make an appearance while you're at work. Leis stay fragrant and can last more than a week if you refrigerate them and mist with water periodically.

A sunset luau

It's TGIF, Hawaiian-style. The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa throws a Friday-night luau on the lawn by Mission Bay -- and that means hula dancers in grass skirts, fire knife dancing, piña coladas, tiki torches, a ceremonial roast pig on parade and Polynesian drumbeats from a live band. Dances and costumes come from different parts of Polynesia (Tahiti, Samoa and even New Zealand, as well as Hawaii). It's faux Hawaii, of course, but the festivities are enough to spark your island imagination.

An ocean adventure

Bright orange Garibaldi fish, leopard sharks, giant sea turtles, sea lions and seven sea caves to explore -- it's not Kauai, it's La Jolla Shores. The caves are just a half-mile from shore via kayak, and OEX Dive & Kayak Center offers two-hour tours that include guided trips inside the Clam -- one of just two caves you can enter (at high tide, you can go all the way through). Sunset.com: Discover the West's top 10 beaches

August is a prime month to be out on the water with the warm temps and calm swells. About those silhouettes gliding underneath the boats: Hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of leopard sharks swim below the kayaks, and they're most abundant in summer. Thankfully, leopard sharks have small teeth (they use suction to eat). For the daring, snorkeling is another option. Sunset.com: Take the teens to Kauai

Tiki-style

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge -- the name alone promises tropical cocktails and Polynesian kitsch. The giant tiki masks on the walls, tableside lava lamps and handblown glass blowfish on the ceilings add to the tropical flavor of this spot in downtown's Gaslamp Quarter. The drinks are pure tiki -- try the lilikoi mojitos with white rum, passion fruit, fresh mint and lime, or a coconut kiss martini with coconut rum, pineapple and coconut cream (with an orchid floating on top). The happy hour (5-7 p.m.; $5) includes sushi rolls and pupus (Hawaiian appetizers) like shiitake-goat cheese wontons.

Hang 10

Surfing isn't just the sport of beach bums. These days anyone can ride a wave, and La Jolla Shores Beach is great for beginners, with its sandy-bottom shoreline and small waves. Surf Diva, a surf school started by twin-sister surfers in 1996, gives private or group surf lessons (wetsuit and board included). Lessons start on the sand, where you'll learn how to paddle, pop up and master the surf stance before you hit the water. Sunset.com: Blue Hawaii

48 hours of aloha in San Diego

Friday: Two tropical-themed spots to stay are Paradise Point Resort & Spa, a waterfront oasis with a Balinese-style spa and five swimming pools (from $259), or the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa (from $249) with koi ponds, gardens, and a beach on Mission Bay. Hit the Catamaran Resort first for lei-making (3:30 Fri through Sep 4; $10), then stay for the weekly Friday-night luau with Hawaiian music, fire dancing, and hula (6 p.m. Fri through Sep

Where in Mission Bay throws a Friday night luau?

Try a guided kayak trip to explore the caves where?

The Catamaran Resort Hotel throws a what on a Friday-night?

Answer: The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Answer: inside the Clam

Answer: The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Answer: The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Answer: luau

Summary:
San Diego, California, has a variety of ways to catch the Hawaiian spirit .
Catamaran Resort Hotel throws a Friday-night luau by Mission Bay .
Try a guided kayak trip to explore the caves at La Jolla Shores .


(Sunset) -- The old warehouses of Portland's Pearl District are home to increasingly cool cultural diversions. Spend a weekend browsing the neighborhood's art galleries, snack on a pumpkin-pie cupcake and enjoy dinner and a show. The Gerding Theater at the Armory has been transformed after its $36 million eco-renovation. Take it home If prices in the Pearl's posh galleries put a damper on your holiday gift giving, head to the Pacific Northwest College of Art for its annual student-art sale. Future famous artists sell surprisingly sophisticated gifts reflecting their fields of study: one-of-a-kind monotypes and screen-printed cards, jewelry with semiprecious stones, gorgeous oil paintings and thought-provoking metal sculptures. Catch a show The once-vacant, castlelike Gerding Theater at the Armory has been transformed after its $36 million eco-renovation. For people-watching, sip wine in the loft overlooking the lobby, then settle in for Portland Center Stage's one-man play "R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe." Sunset.com: Life in the Pearl One-stop gallery hop Who cares if it's raining when you have the DeSoto Building/Museum of Contemporary Craft -- four fine art galleries and an innovative museum under one roof? Hit the museum's Holiday Shoppe (December 3-January 4) for funky felt rings and handcrafted ornaments. Great Pearl eats Wild rice-smoked duck breast is steps from the Gerding Theater at Ten 01. Or try Isabel; we like the brown rice and tofu bowl with peanut sauce. Then there's 50 Plates, a casual bistro serving all-American classics. Sunset.com: Green in Portland A twist on pumpkin pie Warm up for T-Day with a luscious pumpkin pie cupcake filled with pumpkin cream at Cupcake Jones, a grab-and-go bakery. (Then place your order for Thanksgiving dessert.) WANT MORE ENTERTAINMENT? (Portland's got it) For budding theater buffs Kids will eat up the juicy Oregon Children's Theatre production of Roald Dahl's classic "James and the Giant Peach," while you'll get a kick out of the high-flying special effects and dry humor. For small-stage premieres See classics and local playwrights' works on one of Artists Repertory Theatre's two intimate stages. Get some comic relief during the hectic holidays with Marc Acito and C.S. Witcomb's "Holidazed," a humorous look at modern families coping with old-fashioned Christmas traditions. For indie-film fans The Northwest Film Center presents themed series, retrospectives and annual film festivals. The Portland International Film Festival, held in February, features nearly 100 films from more than 30 countries. Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com

Where is the annual student art sale held?

What kind of annual sale going on with Pacific Northwest College of Art?

Answer: The Gerding Theater at the Armory

Answer: Isabel;

Answer: all-American classics.

Answer: Portland's Pearl District

Answer: Pacific Northwest College of

Answer: Pacific Northwest College

Answer: 50 Plates,

Answer: student-art

Answer: Portland Center Stage's

Answer: Pacific Northwest College of Art

Summary:
Check out Pacific Northwest College of Art's annual student art sale .
Settle in to watch a play at the renovated Gerding Theater at the Armory .
Stop for dinner at 50 Plates, a casual bistro serving all-American classics .


(Sunset) -- Yes, I admit this wasn't the first time I'd forgotten an important event. Let's not get hung up on that. What's important is that I quickly and admirably redeemed myself.

For a refreshing walk, try a sliver of the Laguna Beach coastline, about 50 miles south of Los Angeles.

Once the florist came to deliver the white dendrobium (I collect orchids) and I read the note -- "Happy Anniversary. Love, J" -- I immediately jumped into action: In less than an hour, I'm driving my wife, Jan, to Laguna Beach, our favorite seaside village. It is a place blessedly stocked with eateries where a guy can get noteworthy huevos rancheros while his beloved browses chic shops along Ocean and Forest Avenues for bejeweled sandals during winter sales.

Laguna Beach also happens to be where we spent a few days on our honeymoon years ago, so I have that going for me.

Short of hiring a helicopter, there are only two ways to get to this gallery-filled artist colony, either along Orange County's Coast Highway or down eucalyptus-laden Laguna Canyon Road, which curves like a riverbed, flowing down to the sea from the base of steep hills dotted with aerie bright-white homes that look like seagulls perched on precipices.

As we roll into town just before sunset, we feel like we're dropping into a box canyon with the Pacific Ocean as its only outlet, making the village feel cozy and isolated, particularly in the fall and winter months when the crowds thin out. A chilly breeze brings the faint smell of menthol (the canyon's eucalyptus trees) and something sweet, like saltwater taffy, perhaps from one of the candy stores. Long sheets of purplish orange clouds scatter like flaming blankets across the sky, suffusing the ocean, the sky, even Jan's face with a fireside glow.

"This is such a special treat," she says. "I can't believe you thought of it. By the way, where are we staying?"

Fortunately, I'm prepared for this question. I've been turning it over in my head from the moment we left home. I was thinking we could try to get a room at the hotel where we'd spent three nights on our honeymoon, even though it wasn't that great. But then my spousal guilt kicks in, so I decide to bite the bullet and go all out at Montage Laguna Beach resort and spa: California Craftsman architecture. Plein air art lining lobby walls. Feather-top beds. Soaking tubs for two. Views of Laguna's beaches. Jaw-dropping room rates. That sort of thing.

Beach romance

When we get up the next morning, the sun warming up the room, Jan and I both notice the quiet. With doors open wide to the Pacific, we hear the chest-thumping crash of the waves, the raspy bark of sea lions, the singsongy entreaty of a distant jogger calling his dog back from a run on the beach. I say we love the quiet, then I talk about the sounds. But it's different. In summer, beach sounds can be cacophonous. In fall and winter, there's mostly the wind and waves and sea life.

We love the communal feel of the town at this time of year, when locals, who seem to hibernate during the hot months, suddenly reappear to reclaim their favorite eateries and bars.

One morning we laze about Zinc Cafe on boutique-lined Ocean Avenue, reading the paper while digging into massive bowls of oatmeal mixed with dried cherries and nuts and surreptitiously listening to the breezy conversation around us -- like that of the young woman at the next table who's trying to convince a friend to join her in a laughter-yoga workshop on the beach.

"At first you just feel really stupid going hee-hee-hee, haw-haw-haw, but then you really do start laughing and it ... it's such a release," she says.

"What the heck is laughter yoga?" I lean over

When do crowds thin out in Laguna Beach?

When does crowds thin out in Laguna Beach?

What is about 50 miles south of Los Angeles?

Answer: fall

Answer: Laguna Beach coastline,

Answer: fall and winter months

Answer: the crowds

Answer: Laguna Beach coastline,

Summary:
Laguna Beach, California, is about 50 miles south of Los Angeles .
Crowds thin out in Laguna Beach in the fall and winter months .
Art galleries, shops and secluded beach walks keep visitors entertained .


(SuperYachtWorld) -- They may not be big on looks but explorer yachts can realize even the most intrepid traveler's desire for far-flung and exotic corners of the globe.

Explorers offer all the comforts of traditional superyachts but with souped-up specifications -- an ice-strengthened hull to cope with polar ice or ocean-going capability.

Which means these tough boats can cruise from Patagonia to the islands of the Caribbean and from the Arctic ice to the Mediterranean.

They also come with an impressive array of gadgets and gizmos: Helicopters, fishing boats, luxury speed boats and state-of-the-art navigation gear are all among the play things likely to be aboard.

While chartering one of these yachts is not within everyone's budget -- prices range from about $100,000 to $500,000 per week, depending on the season -- most people can relate to the fantasy of escaping the crowds and exploring some of the world's most remote and beautiful spots.

'Atmosphere'

Why we like it: "Atmosphere" is more than a yacht -- it is the perfect escape for the 21st century adventurer. It is a specially designed platform from which to explore undiscovered Chilean Patagonia in three ways -- by air, land and water, using the yacht's on-board vehicles, which include a helicopter.

Where has it been? It has been based off the fjord-like coast of Chile since its launch. Its cruising area is 400 or so nautical miles from Puerto Montt in the north to the Taitao peninsula.

What its captain says: "My crew will fly you in helicopters, drive you to see wildlife in special tenders and take you on rugged shore-based excursions in one of a fleet of all-terrain vehicles we keep ashore in strategically placed locations along the coastline. We can fly you in the helicopter to isolated ski slopes with virgin snow." Victor Espinoza

Web site: nomadsoftheseas.com

'Allure Shadow'

Why we like it: "Allure Shadow" was built for a yacht owner who purchased a shadow boat to carry the toys for his big white yacht but then discovered he enjoyed the shadow more than the other one. It's not short on luxuries: every cabin has its own balcony.

Where has it been? Most recently it was deployed to Bimini in the Bahamas where its huge hangar and massive crane were used to launch a research submarine that was looking for the lost city of Atlantis.

What its captain says: "There is nowhere we can't go. And wherever we go, we do so in style, carrying more tenders, toys and cars than you can shake a stick at. When you talk about carrying a helicopter, we ask how many would you like!" Kostas Andreou.

Web site: iyc.com

'Senses'

Why we like it: "Senses" is packed with toys, including a luxurious 13 meter "Nelson tender" speedboat with its own slipway system enabling guests to step directly aboard from the main deck, an 8.5 meter Herreshoff sailing sloop, a "Hobie Cat" catamaran, a Waverunner, an  meter fishing boat and a 7.5-meter RIB.

Where has it been? With a decade of adventures under it belt, it is one of the few charter yachts that can cruise from pole to pole. Its current owner has already taken "Senses" around the world twice.

What its captain says: "'Senses' can acclimatize to every use, be it diving in the Tropics, three month-long self-contained adventures up the Amazon, or entertaining. Its flotilla of tenders can be customized to suit the adventure at hand and that includes the seven-seat helicopter with a range of 600 nautical miles." Geordie Nicholson

Web site: burgessyachts.com

'Big Aron'

Why we like it This capacious 2004 yacht was refitted in 2006. With five decks reserved for guests it commands vast interior and exterior spaces.

Where has it been? South America and Brazil, where it explored some amazing uncharted river deltas, and the Angra dos Reis south of Rio -- a perfect charter area with

Who offers the comforts of superyachts?
What do explorers come packed with?
Who is exploring unchartered areas?
What do the explorers arrive with?
What do the explorers have?

Answer: Explorers

Answer: impressive array of gadgets and gizmos:

Answer: 'Big Aron'

Answer: Helicopters, fishing boats, luxury speed boats and state-of-the-art navigation gear

Answer: They also come with an impressive array of gadgets and gizmos: Helicopters, fishing boats, luxury speed boats and state-of-the-art navigation gear are all among the play things likely to be aboard.

Summary:
New breed of adventure explorers offer comforts of superyachts .
Cruise the Arctic Circle, explore uncharted river deltas and bask in the Caribbean sun .
Explorers come packed with toys: helicopters, jet skis, dinghies and more .


(The Frisky)  -- "How I Met Your Mother" has me a little confused. I've watched the show since the beginning and think it is one of the best sitcoms, evah.

It's laugh-out-loud funny and unpredictable (Who can forget Slapsgiving or Robin's Canadian pop single, "Let's Go To The Mall"?), and gets the late 20-something experience like no other show.

Not to mention that Neil Patrick Harris as Barney is one of the funniest characters of all time.

But, I digress. The premise of the show has been that Ted is narrating to his children how he met their mother. Only, fours years in, we still have no idea who she is.

Earlier this year, the show's executive producer PROMISED that in episode 100, airing this coming Monday, we would finally be introduced to this elusive mother.

At the same time, it was leaked that Rachel Bilson was cast for a recurring role on the show. It made so much sense: Ted and Rachel, Rachel and Ted. They're both brunette and would look adorable together. But now new casting news is messing everything up.

I just read that two other ladies of note are getting roles on the show. First up is former pro-wrestler Stacy Keibler, who will also be in the 100th episode. And Carrie Underwood just confirmed that she will be on the show this spring. So, uh, who is the mother?

My instinct tells me that Bilson is too obvious a choice, considering this is a show that's kept us guessing for four years.

The Frisky: 13 super annoying ways people abuse Facebook and Twitter

Remember how, after watching Ted and Robin's romance begin to blossom, we got to the last second of the season premiere and Ted said, "And that's how I met your Aunt Robin." I just know we're in for a twist here.

TM & © 2010 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

who is rachel bilson
What instinct tells writer Bilson?
Who were cast in the 100th episode?
what did the executives promise
Who is too obvious a choice?

Answer: cast for a recurring role on the show.

Answer: is too obvious a choice,

Answer: Stacy Keibler,

Answer: that in episode 100, airing this coming Monday, we would finally be introduced to this elusive mother.

Answer: Bilson

Summary:
"How I Met Your Mother" executives promise to introduce mother character .
Rachel Bilson, Stacy Keibler and Carrie Underwood all cast in 100th episode .
Instinct tells writer that Bilson is too obvious a choice .


(The Frisky)  -- Recently, I discovered that one of my best friends had ditched me after I logged onto Facebook and found her profile had disappeared from my page. When you break up with a best friend online, things can get murky. We'd been having problems that had culminated in a huge argument the day before, but I figured we'd get through it. I figured wrong. Still, being given the heave-ho by way of a social networking site? My first reaction was to laugh. I mean, we're adults. Unfriending me seemed tantamount to toilet-papering my locker or scribbling my phone number on the boy's locker room wall. We had been close for well over a decade. We supported each other through parental deaths, and together we'd bitched and moaned about men for untold hours. I loved her amazing daughter -- buying that little girl Christmas presents was the highlight of my holidays. Suddenly, that was all gone. Suddenly, I wasn't laughing. I was crying. We know what to do when boyfriends dump us: sob. We eat everything in the house or take to our beds and refuse all sustenance. Usually, there's yelling -- at least at my house. The Frisky: How NOT to help heal a broken heart We purge them from our lives. We delete all their emails and erase their number from every electronic device we own. But when you break up with a girlfriend, things are murkier. For one thing, people don't feel sorry for you the way they do when a romantic relationship bites the dust. You can't blame them; it's not like you were in love or planning a future with your friend. (Even though you assumed she'd be part of it.) So, getting wound up about the loss seems somehow, I don't know, less legit. Is it? It hurts as much as any other heartbreak. Victoria Clark made a short film on the subject: "Ruminations on You and Me." I asked her about the process of grieving a dead friendship. "As a woman, I expect men to come and go because of the nature of love," she explained. "But your girls are supposed to be on your side, no matter what ... That's what I wanted to believe for a long time, but now I know that that's not always reality." The Frisky: What are your rules for friendship on Facebook? A friend of mine was saddened when her BFF excised my friend from her life after landing a boyfriend. "She hated being single, so if there was a man anywhere in the vicinity, you'd be kicked to the curb," my pal explained wistfully. Even forewarned with this knowledge, it stung when she was dismissed from her friend's life. The Frisky: Five ways to unfriend a friend Unlike my breakup, there was no dramatic defriending. This woman utilized the passive-aggressive method of choice: the slow fade. "I remember buying her a birthday gift, but somehow she just never had the time to come collect it." The Frisky: Ten songs about friendship Like any other kind of relationship, friendships end. It's not like I've never dumped a pal. I've gotten back together with a few. Because I miss her and love her, I gave making up a shot with this one. A few weeks after I was banished from her Facebook page, I emailed her an apologetic note. I never heard back. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Like any other kind of relationship, what must happen?

When do people not feel as sorry for you?

When a friendship ends what do you have to do?

What don't people feel with a friend breakup?

An author got ditched by a friend on what social media platform?

Do people feel sorry for you when this happens?

What happened to the author on Facebook?

Is it right to blame your friend when this happens?

Answer: friendships end.

Answer: break up with a girlfriend,

Answer: one of my best friends

Answer: one of my best friends had ditched me after I logged onto

Answer: end.

Answer: I emailed her an apologetic note.

Answer: when you break up with a girlfriend, things are murkier.

Answer: sorry for you the way they do when a romantic relationship bites the dust.

Answer: Facebook

Answer: one of my best friends

Answer: sorry for you

Answer: don't

Answer: Facebook

Answer: me

Answer: one of my best friends had ditched me

Answer: You can't

Summary:
Author gets ditched on Facebook by good friend and doesn't know what to do .
People don't feel as sorry for you with a friend breakup .
You can't blame your friend -- it's not like you were in love .
Like any other kind of relationship, friendships end but you have to go on .


(The Frisky)  -- Virgin Airlines heir Sam Branson was hanging out with Andy Roddick, and couldn't resist challenging him to a bet. Andy Roddick played left-handed against Sam Branson and still won. Branson wagered $150 that he could beat Roddick in a tennis match, as long as the right-handed sports star played with his left hand. Even as a leftie, Roddick cleaned up. They played one set and Branson didn't score a single point. Since celebrities have so much money to throw around, they often amuse themselves by placing weird bets. Peep a few more who've put their money where their mouth is. 1. George Clooney was so convinced he'd still be childless and unmarried when he hit 40 that in 2001, he bet Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer $10,000 each. The two gals just couldn't believe that this hunky dude wouldn't be tied down. But they were wrong. That's $20,000 for bachelor George! The Frisky: They dated? Hollywood's oddest hookups 2. Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry made a bet on the set of "The Whole Nine Yards." Perry allegedly thought the film would open at the top of the charts in the U.S. but Willis wasn't feelin' it. When Bruce lost, he had to do a cameo on "Friends." Doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, he had to give away all the money he made. The good news is, he gave it to charity. The Frisky: Celebs whose new loves look just like their exes 3. Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio each bet $25,000 that the other would become a father first. The Frisky: Hollywood hotties set to play historical figures When Maguire's fiance had their first kid, the actor had to pay up. He gave DiCaprio the cash, but didn't mind. Cause, uh, he was a dad. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Who has so much money that they use it to place bets?

To whom did George Clooney bet he'd still be childless?

What was the reason Bruce Willis appeared on Friends?

What did George Clooney bet two actresses?

Answer: placing weird bets.

Answer: against

Answer: $150 that he could beat

Answer: Bruce Willis

Answer: Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer

Answer: he had to do a cameo

Answer: he'd still be childless and unmarried when he hit 40 that in 2001, he

Answer: he'd still be childless and unmarried when he hit 40

Summary:
Celebs have so much money they amuse themselves sometimes by placing bets .
Sam Branson bet Andy Roddick he could beat him at a tennis match .
George Clooney bet two actresses he'd still be childless at 40 .
Bruce Willis lost a bet to Matthew Perry and had to appear on "Friends"


(The Frisky) -- About a year ago, a group of my closest friends got together in a basement apartment in Queens. It was a Saturday night in the dead of winter, and most of us were broke (the economy was crashing) and lazy (we didn't feel like trekking to a bar in the city). As we cracked open a bottle of wine and ate fresh-baked zucchini muffins, one of my friends decided to play us some records on the record player he had recently inherited from his parents. It turned out to be one of the best nights of our lives. In sharing great music, great food and great fun, a tradition was born: Record Party. The New York Times is finally catching on to something my friends and I discovered that night; vinyl is back in a major way. The stats say that CDs are becoming just about as obsolete as cassettes and 8-tracks. Sure, iPods are fun if you're on the go, but really the only way to devour your favorite music (other than to hear it live) is to listen to it on vinyl. It's like hearing the music again for the first time -- rich and layered. Mike Jbara, a bigwig at Warner Music Group, said, "It is absolutely easy to say vinyl doesn't make sense when you look at convenience, portability, all those things. But all the really great stuff in our lives comes from a root of passion or love." [New York Times] That's what Record Party is really all about. But don't take my word for it. Here are five tips for throwing your own rocking Record Party. • Yes, you need a record player. I know you're thinking, "Where on earth do I get a record player? The antique shop?" Try eBay or Craigslist. There are so many used record players that need a good home. From bottom of the line models to high-end turntables, you wouldn't believe how many people have record players. If you're an electronics idiot like me, you may want to consult a knowledgeable person. I always ask my super-geeky musician friends about makes, models and features. If you don't have a music nerd in your life, do a little research online or find a specialty store in your area. Also, don't forget to get some great speakers so you can hear all the natural flava of your records. • Starting a record collection isn't as hard or as expensive as you think. It's always fun to go to a local record store and pick out some delicious vinyl. Many record stores have used records, which can save you some money. Take the record out and make sure that it's the right record -- one time I got "A Chorus Line" record in a "Stevie Nicks" jacket. Also, make sure that the record is not terribly scratched. If you're a bargain hunter like me, go to your local thrift store and pick through. You may have to search for a while, but it's not uncommon to find some $1 gems. Also, flea markets are a great place to find some hot, cheap vinyl. • Keep the guest list small. The best thing about Record Party is reveling in your favorite music and breaking out your finest dance moves. This is always most fun with close friends who have similar tastes in music. But part of the fun is also learning about new music, so you may want to require guests to bring some records of their own. • Food and drinks are a must. It's hard to throw a great record party without food and beverage. Have everyone contribute. Snacks and drinks will be much appreciated when guests step off the makeshift dance floor. • Establish some rules and traditions. At our Record Party, we've established a couple of rules in order to keep the good times rolling: 1. Everyone must write all requests down on our request list. 2. No more than two songs played at one time per person

What is a great about record parties?
What do you bring to the Record Party?
Where can you by a record player?
How much does a record cost?
Where can you buy a record player?
What can be inexpensive?

Answer: music,

Answer: food and beverage.

Answer: eBay or Craigslist.

Answer: $1

Answer: eBay or Craigslist.

Answer: Starting a record collection

Summary:
Record Parties are a great way to get together with friends .
Instead of an iPod, get better sound with a record player, available on eBay or Craigslist .
Records can be inexpensive: $1 gems aren't too rare to stumble upon .
Bring snacks and a playlist .


(The Frisky) -- Actress Amanda Seyfried has been pretty candid about her disdain for dieting. She recently spoke up on The Huffington Post site about how unfortunate it is that near starvation is often necessary for success in Hollywood:

"I clearly like being fit, but it's not thin without a hell of a lot of work -- I run and I exercise a lot and then I eat...I'm not going to deny that I don't think about it every day, it's always on my mind. I have to stay in shape because I'm an actress.

"It's twisted, but I wouldn't get the roles otherwise. If I'd been bigger, I don't think they would have cast me for 'Mamma Mia'! If I have to diet, it's salad with protein, salmon and broccoli, no dessert. But what kind of life is that?"

Yeah, what kind of life is that? I'm eating dessert for breakfast right now and feel pretty OK about it, but for people whose chosen profession is acting, it's a big issue.

Here are a few celebs who have whined about this unfair standard of beauty.

Sandra Bullock says she is paid to be thin

Sandra Bullock once said, "People ask, 'How do actresses do it?' Um, they pay us to do this in order to look good on film," Bullock confessed to InStyle.

When she was younger, Bullock did some yo-yo dieting and says of her mentality at the time, "I'm going to get really fat. Then I'm going to complain about how fat I've got, then I'll have to go on a diet, then I'll complain about being on a diet. It's just a vicious circle. I've been a junk food junkie most of my life."

The Frisky: Learn from Sandra Bullock's up/down love life

Beyonce was "dying" to be thin

When Beyonce had to drop 20 pounds for "Dreamgirls," she did a Master Cleanse, and said this about it in FHM magazine: "I lived on water, cayenne pepper and maple syrup for 14 days. It was tough; everyone was eating and I was dying.

"After that I ate waffles, fried chicken, cheeseburgers, french fries, everything I could find. That was the best time of my life. I've gained twelve pounds."

"Baywatch" babe Nicole Eggert says being skinny is "unrealistic"

Former "Baywatch" and "Celebrity Fit Club" actress Nicole Eggert fought back against tabloid criticism over her weight gain, telling ThatsFit.com, "to maintain this Hollywood figure is really, really unrealistic. Is your heart healthy? Is your mind healthy? Do you feel good? That's it. Period. This skinny-minnie-waify look that has taken over is unrealistic."

But, just in case, she lost all that weight and is pimping that QuickTrim stuff Kim Kardashian is so fond of.

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Demi Moore doesn't call herself "thin"

Demi Moore also had her share of body issues and hopes she hasn't passed them on to her daughters.

She told Vanity Fair, "When I was living that idea that if I was thinner I would be better and more accepted and more attractive, I stopped looking at it as being thin or skinny... I have three daughters with three very different types of bodies... I just try to encourage them to find the beauty in who they are and what they have, as opposed to focusing on what they're not. I want them to know that being thin does not equate to happiness."

Demi Moore schools Kim Kardashian on "pimping"

Jennifer Aniston's lost it for "Friends"

When she started her career, Jennifer Aniston was told that she needed to lose 20 pounds to be on "Friends."

She managed to lose the weight but complained about it publicly: "You're damned if you're too thin and you

How many pounds did Jennifer need to lose?

Who was told to lose 20 pounds for "Friends"?

Answer: "People ask, 'How do actresses do it?' Um, they pay us to do this in order to look good on film,"

Answer: she is paid to be thin

Answer: 20

Answer: Jennifer Aniston

Answer: she is paid to be thin

Summary:
Sandra Bullock says, "They pay us to do this in order to look good on film"
Jennifer Aniston was told she needed to lose 20 pounds to be on "Friends"
Kelly Osbourne says she took more heat for being fat than for being a drug addict .


(The Frisky) -- Carrie Bradshaw is not only a Manhattan and fashion icon, but as a dating columnist, she's considered a dating icon as well. Why? She's selfish, immature, manipulative, impulsive, and, let's face it, kind of psycho.

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She gives women, even kooky women, a bad name. Ladies, feel free to emulate Carrie's style and visit her favorite NYC haunts, but when it comes to dating, it's best to do anything but what she does.

Carrie makes several common mistakes throughout the "Sex and the City" series and by watching her missteps, women can learn a lot about what to do and, more importantly, what not to do, at all stages of a relationship.

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Don't assume. When Carrie begins dating Mr. Big, she assumes that since she's not seeing anyone else, he's not either. Predictably, she's shocked when she finds him at dinner with another woman.

Although she and Big had shared a bed together, they had only gone on two dates by that point; he certainly didn't owe her exclusivity, especially when they hadn't discussed it.

If you don't want your new guy to date anyone else, make sure he knows it. While there's no magic time to have the "what do we call this relationship" talk, it's imperative that you have the talk at some point.

Over-analyzing doesn't solve anything. Carrie often falls into the trap of over and over and over-analyzing every aspect of her relationships, wondering what each and every little tiny thing means. She looks for hidden meanings in the most ordinary events. When Big takes her to the same restaurant twice in a row, she looks for a secret motive. She listens to answering machine messages from him repeatedly, straining to hear what he's not saying.

Sometimes, men are not up-front about why they do what they do, but most of the time, a restaurant is just a restaurant and a message is just a message.

Stalking isn't sexy. "Sex and the City" existed in a time before cell phones were ubiquitous, Google was a verb, and posting on Facebook and Twitter became a national pastime. Yet Carrie still manages to stalk Big, following him to church to see what he does on Sundays and with whom, and concocting a scheme to meet his ex-wife.

While there's nothing wrong with looking up a new date online, cyberstalking or, worse, actually stalking someone likely won't end well. When he finds out that you've been moonlighting as a private investigator, he won't be flattered. Instead, he'll wonder what he's getting himself into and will probably be ready to end what may have just started.

Drama doesn't equal passion. Carrie is scared when Aidan seems "too perfect." She wants to know what's wrong with him and insists he must be hiding a big secret from her. As she ponders her new relationship, she writes, "Do we need drama to make a relationship work?" The answer is no.

Unfortunately, many women equate drama with passion. A relationship filled with drama is usually exciting because you never know what could happen -- good or bad. That kind of excitement can be destructive and is ultimately unsustainable. A drama-free relationship isn't one that's necessarily without love or passion; it's one that's mature enough to not need the emotional roller coaster.

The Frisky: I'm a "Miranda" type -- not a "Carrie" -- and I love it

"Perfect" doesn't exist. Even as Aidan is too perfect, Carrie insists on perfection when she goes out with Berger for the first time. She goes shopping for the perfect outfit and tries to think of what activity they can do to make it the perfect first date. However, she soon realizes

What is destructive according to the article?

Whose dating style should not be emulated?

What should not be equated with passion?

Answer: That kind of excitement

Answer: Carrie Bradshaw

Answer: Carrie Bradshaw

Answer: Drama

Answer: every aspect of her relationships,

Summary:
Columnist says women should not emulate Carrie Bradshaw's dating styles .
Don't equate drama with passion-- roller coaster emotions are destructive .
Give up over-analyzing every aspect of your relationships .
Ladies, if you're not yourself around him, he's not right for you .


(The Frisky) -- Despite the tough economic times, you can't just expect to stop lusting after those Frye riding boots you've had your eye on forever, or that your longtime trusted hair stylist is going to suddenly start cutting her prices.

From hobbies to bake sales to your own Web site, there are ways to make extra money in your spare time.

The fact is no matter how frugally you learn to live, there are still going to be some things you'll want to splurge on, and that's okay. I mean, this is a recession, after all, not a potato famine. You don't have to give up all your luxuries or switch to low-cost everything; you just have to get savvier about making extra money for those treats you enjoy.

But I'm not talking about getting a second job or really working that much harder; a true recessionista knows how to make extra cash for little luxuries while leaving plenty of free time to enjoy them, too. After the jump, seven ways to make more money without taking a second job...

1. Become a focus group participant: An old co-worker turned me on to focus groups about 8 years ago and after I made 75 bucks giving my opinion on a series of coffee ads, I immediately went home, opened the phone book (remember those?), and called dozens of market research companies to get my name added to their databases for future groups.

Over the years I've made thousands of dollars telling people what I think about ads, product concepts, packaging, services, and the taste of food and beverages. Once, I even made $200 tasting vodka for an hour. Talk about easy money! Check the "Etc." section of Craigslist for current focus groups in your area, or do an online search for market research recruiting companies and then can call and have your name added to their databases.

2. Use your blog: If you have a blog -- and who doesn't these days? -- you're sitting on valuable real estate. Depending on the size of your readership, you could make anywhere from enough money to buy a magazine and a latte to enough to support your entire family (Ã¡ la Dooce).

There are lots of different ways to make money on a blog, from virtual tip jars to product reviews, but the most popular is through running ads. In the past, I've recruited sponsors directly for a niche blog I used to write, but I currently use an advertising program on my personal blog that basically takes care of everything so all I have to do is post regularly and collect my check at the end of the month. Free money for writing about my cats and boyfriend and favorite TV shows! What could be easier? There are a host of ad programs open to anyone, so do your research to find one that's right for you.

3. Sell the stuff you no longer want: When I moved to New York from Chicago a year ago to be with my long-distance boyfriend, I used the opportunity to unload all the crap I no longer wanted or needed. I sold furniture, home goods, clothes, accessories, and my car (no need for one in Manhattan!). In addition to hosting a yard sale where I made about 200 bucks for candles, pots and pans and old Halloween costumes, I used the hell out of Craigslist and eBay, both before my move and after I arrived when I realized I still needed to unload quite a bit to fit into my boyfriend's one-bedroom apartment.

I honestly don't miss anything I got rid of (and can't remember what most of it even was), and the money from the sales paid a big chunk of my moving costs. Now that I'm settled in, I like to go through my belongings each season, selling a few items and making room and money for new stuff, like dresses and cute shoes.

4. Make money from your hobbies: From hawking your crafts on Etsy, and selling

What should you sell on eBay or Craigslist?

What should you do to make extra money from the stuff in your home?

What kind of group should you sign up for?

What places can be used to sell stuff from your home?

Answer: no longer want:

Answer: virtual tip jars

Answer: Craigslist and eBay,

Answer: no longer want:

Answer: focus

Answer: Craigslist and eBay,

Answer: From hobbies to bake sales to your own Web site, there are ways to make extra money in your spare time.

Summary:
You don't have to get a second job to make extra money in spare time .
Sell the stuff in your home that you no longer use -- try eBay or Craigslist .
Sign up to be a focus group participant or become a dog sitter .
Set up your own blog and use an advertising service .


(The Frisky) -- Don't you just hate the type of person who smugly informs you, "I don't watch TV," like that's something to be proud of? They think they're so great with all their fancy book learning. What they don't realize is that TV isn't for dummies -- there's tons of educational programming available -- you just need to know what to watch. I mean, you can learn your ABCs with "Sesame Street's" Grover, how to make gnocchi with Mario Batali, and the ins and outs of prettying up your home with any number of programs on HGTV. Television is also a great romance resource. Think of all the great TV twosomes we've seen over the years -- Lucy & Ricky Ricardo, Judy & George Jetson, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag ... but not all TV personalities set such a sincerely loving example. It's also a good place to learn which type of guy you should avoid. Here are a few examples: Chuck Bass ("Gossip Girl"): Few men can pull off lavender argyle, but Chuck Bass is definitely one of them. Moody and sinister, when Chuck Bass Types (CBTs) like you, it's as though you've been inducted into a secret society of two. It's you against the world and the CBT will bring out a dark side you might not have even realized you possessed. Whip smart with a caustic wit, he'll charm you all the while tucking away your secrets for use at a later date. And use them he will. Because when a CBT tires of you, he won't just say "see ya," he'll decimate you. Hank Moody ("Californication"): Some boys take longer than usual to grow out of their Charles Bukowski-wannabe phase. Exhibit A is Hank Moody. Actor David Duchovny, playing what the tabloids would have you believe is an autobiographical role, has managed to hang onto his Bukowski-phase well into his forties. Drinking, partying, and resisting monogamy, Hank still manages to attract more ladies than hotter men half his age. Of course the only women drawn to Hank are either damaged girls with daddy issues or the type of dame who doesn't feel complete unless she has some mess to clean up after. If you see yourself dating a Hank Moody type, do not walk -- run -- to your nearest mental health professional. Vince Chase ("Entourage"): Those big blue eyes and that floppy mop o' hair...  you can forgive him for making a stinker like "Medellin," can't you? Sure, but do you really want to deal with someone who lives in a dude cocoon? Not only does he live with his brother and two best friends, he can't make any decisions without polling the group. On the upside, he's rich! On the downside, he's famous, which means other women are throwing themselves at him constantly. Vince might be fun for a fling, but forget about bringing him home to mama. Don Draper ("Mad Men"): Why is it when unattractive people are quiet we just assume they're stupid and/or boring, but verbally challenged hot people get pegged as mysterious and smoldering? Mad Men's smokin' hot Don Draper actually is mysterious (and smoldering!), so I don't know what point I was trying to make (because I'm all distracted from the photos on his IMDB page)... oh, wait! The point I'm trying to make is that while Draper is indeed mysterious, he's also a liar, a cheat and a cad. So if a DDT tries to slip you his number, just say no and send it to me. What? Strictly for research purposes. TM & © 2008 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Which character from Mad Men is mentioned?

What show is the character Don Draper from?

Answer: Moody and sinister,

Answer: Hank Moody

Answer: ("Californication"):

Answer: Television

Answer: Don Draper

Answer: Don Draper

Answer: ("Gossip Girl"):

Answer: ("Mad Men"):

Summary:
Learn about men NOT to date by studying male characters on TV shows .
"Gossip Girls" Chuck Bass is charming type who decimates women .
"Mad Men" Don Draper is a smoldering liar and cheat  Aging party boy Hank Moody of "Californication" attracts damaged women .


(The Frisky) -- Election tension is boiling over; it seems like everyone from the office blowhard to the person in front of you at the post office is spouting off opinions that make your blood boil. But what happens when the one disagreeing with you shares your bedroom?

Here are ten tips to help you make it to November 4 without resorting to the taser gun:

1. Assess the situation: While one of you might not care that much, the other might be eating, drinking, and sneezing the party line. Acknowledge who feels most strongly, who's just having fun, and whether or not thoughtful discourse is as likely as pigs (with or without lipstick!) flying.

2. Find common ground: Establish that you each are trying to do what you think is best to move this country forward. Maybe you can even agree on an issue or two, and join forces in talking about your mutual passion. (Note: this becomes less effective if you see eye-to-eye only about oatmeal tariffs.)

3. Establish boundaries: Maybe it's no political talk at the table or no ranting email forwards from Aunt Phyllis. You might even agree that you'll freeze discussion if one of you cries for mercy (a "safe" word is good for this: who knew that political arguments were so much like S & M?) Either way, ground rules are essential to keep things from getting ugly.

4. R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Now's the time to channel your inner Miss Manners. Offensive taunts, passive-aggressive digs and -- most certainly-- flying fondue pots are all out of the question.

5. Don't overpersonalize: Your beloved is still, for the most part, who he always was. And the vast majority of those qualities have nothing to do with who gets his hanging chad in the voting booth.

6. Drive to distraction: Now is the time to take up cooking together, not to spend all night with Wolf Blitzer. Choose a classic movie over debate analysis and your 80s playlist over talk radio. And don't even think of bringing your guy to that fundraiser!

7. Find your outlet: If it helps you to hang out in partisan chat rooms all day, have at it. Just make sure you know the difference between blowing off steam and getting yourself worked up, or you're liable to be worse off than you started.

8. Keep it out of the bedroom: Say good night without politics-- unless, of course, the conflict adds some spice! But ixnay on the bouffant wig and red glasses.... as well as the Joe Biden undies.

9. Make an election night plan: Whether you'll be at viewing parties in opposite cities or side-by-side with earpieces and laptops, agree in advance whether you'll spend the evening, and morning, together. Avoid the potential pitfall of letting the night unfold spontaneously -- after all, one of you will be stewing while the other is squealing.

10. Do a reality check: For every couple engaged in a playful red-versus-blue showdown, there's another that must acknowledge red flags about opposing world views. Don't minimize what might be a larger problem of philosophical incompatibility-- or it could be a very long four years to come.

TM & Â© 2008 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

What should you choose over talk radio
You shouldn't hurl what?

Answer: your 80s playlist

Answer: Offensive taunts,

Summary:
If you're in a mixed political party marriage, this could be a tense time .
Find common ground or avoid political battles over dinner table .
Don't hurl taunts or forward political e-mail rants from Aunt Phyllis .
Choose classic movie over talk radio, perhaps take up cooking class .


(The Frisky) -- Even if you're not going to Fiji or the Maldives, accidentally ending up in a popular honeymooning spot while not actually on your honeymoon is easier than you think, especially with the abundance of all-inclusive deals online. Just because your hotel mates are on a romantic getaway doesn't mean they're not open to company. If watching smooching couples while chilling out with your friends makes you want to puke, no worries. You can still have a blast, even if you're not traveling with your newly committed soul mate. Relax You probably chose the fantastic place because you found a great deal to an amazing destination (much like your cuddling neighbors), so take advantage. Hit the spa, do some yoga, swim or make time for the mellow activities that are tough to fit in back home. While you probably won't meet the guy of your dreams lying motionless in a mud wrap, you'll be Zen enough to have a new outlook once your return home. Don't underestimate the locals (or the ex-patriot) There's nothing better than getting to know a place by hanging out with people who can tell you more than a guidebook about the area's culture and hidden gems. Have a glass of wine and chat up the bartender (or the person with the best English if you're abroad) or find out about an area of town where the ex-patriots live. Especially if you've been away from home for a long time, an American omelet or bagel can keep you smiling. Make friends Just because your hotel mates are using the vacation as a romantic getaway doesn't mean that they are not open to meeting others on their travels. There's a chance you'll end up chatting with a couple who bores you with the details of their wedding, but you might luck out and make a few friends (who perhaps will save you seats at the breakfast buffet the next morning). Plan activities Jet skiing, para-gliding, R.V. treks -- take advantage of all the offerings, that way you'll have fun and burn some of the calories you've packed on by sipping cocktails on the beach all day. Besides experiencing new things, you may run across others who have unknowingly booked the same Travelocity deal without any romantic intentions. Come prepared With portable board games, books, cards and an unlimited amount of iPod-fueled music, keeping busy in a honeymoon spot can seem a bit like summer camp (but with booze). Use the time a couple might spend in their room getting busy to work on your Scrabble skills, or catch up on all the new music you've downloaded but have yet to hear. And if you forgot your iPod, don't like spas, and can't find anyone in the entire city who isn't newly married and in love, you and your travel-mates can always place bets on which honeymooning couple will be the first to break up. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

What is the best thing to do to get to know a place?

What does the Author suggest while traveling?

What does the Author recommend coming prepared with?

Answer: hanging out with people who can tell you more than a guidebook about the area's culture and hidden gems.

Answer: Make friends

Answer: portable board games, books, cards and an unlimited amount of iPod-fueled music,

Summary:
It's easy to accidentally wind up in a popular honeymoon spot while traveling .
Hit the spa, do some yoga or swim, author suggests .
There's nothing better than getting to know a place by hanging out with locals .
Author: Come prepared with board games, iPod music, etc.


(The Frisky) -- Everybody has a "type." Personally, I like a man with a big schnozz -- bonus points if he's got a collection of acne scars a lá Tommy Lee Jones. The "OverEater" is one of the nine types of men that women should avoid. My pal Annie likes preppy men -- but only after they've gone to seed and become a little bloated in the process. Suzanne has a weakness for thin Japanese guys who like indie rock music, while Maddy adores bike messengers of all shapes and sizes. But there are certain types of guys who should be NOBODY'S type. These guys are distinguished by one thing -- an overabundance of one or more very bad qualities. Here's your guide to boys to avoid: 1. The OverSharer: The current Overshare Poster Boy is Phillip Nobel, who wrote a highly hide-chapping account of his extramarital affair for Elle. The Oversharer will broadcast intimate episodes from your relationship to his mother, your mother, his blog readers and anyone else he can rope into paying attention. 2. The OverThinker: One of the great things about dating men is that you aren't subjected to long, excruciating interrogations over what you really meant when you reassured him that no, he didn't look fat in those pants. However, though they're rare birds, there are guys who will want to spend hours dissecting even the most innocuous comment, examining it for tone, content and what you might've been implying. 3. The OverTalker: Your friends say they've never known you to be so quiet. That's because this man does enough talking for both of you (and then some). When you do finally eke out a sentence or two he interrupts and talks over you anyway. You have two choices -- accept the fact that you will never speak again or tell him goodbye. Your call. 4. The OverDresser: This dandy makes Gossip Girl's Chuck Bass look sloppy and mismatched. That he takes longer than you to get ready is strike one against him, but the fact that he matches his socks to his underwear and to his ascot drives him out of the park. 5. The OverEater: It's an irritating fact that men can eat more than women. The overeater doesn't care. Food is his first love and he'll push cannolis and baked ziti on you like a crazed Italian granny. Unless you don't mind a future spent in stretch-pants, you might want to give this dude a pass. 6. The OverReactor: Remember when Russell Crowe threw a phone at that hotel clerk who somehow displeased him? That's this guy. From the old lady who accidentally bumped into him at the grocery store, to the SUV that cut him off on the highway -- everyone in his path will hear his wrath. You, most of all. Do not walk away -- run. 7. The Over-The-Topper: He's the life of the party and thinks nothing of driving his motorcycle through the bar if he thinks it'll get a laugh. He's certainly cute, but he just never stops. He's always on. And that, will quickly turn into a turn-off. 8. OverAchiever: Picture the male version of Tracy Flick in the movie "Election" in perfectly fitted jeans, a crisp white oxford shirt and a copy of his (perfect, naturally) SAT scores in his wallet. Now imagine making love to him. You can't, can you? 9. The OverCompensator: Maybe he was the homeliest kid in his eighth-grade class, but that doesn't mean you need to sit through a monologue about how much money he makes, how jealous his friends are over his new BMW, and how he totally could date supermodels if he wanted to. Next! TM & © 2008 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Who bragged about how much money he makes?

What does the Over Compensator brag about?

Who brags about how much money he makes?

Who does enough talking for both of you?

Answer: The OverTalker:

Answer: The OverCompensator:

Answer: how much money he makes,

Answer: The OverTalker:

Answer: OverCompensator:

Answer: The OverTalker:

Answer: The OverReactor:

Summary:
There are certain types of men who should be nobody's type .
Run from the "OverReactor" -- you and everyone in his path will hear his wrath .
The "OverCompensator" brags about how much money he makes .
The "OverTalker" does enough talking for both of you .


(The Frisky) -- Groucho Marx once famously quipped "I don't care to belong to a club that would have me as a member." I sort of feel the same way about online dating sites. There has got to be a better way to meet people. Sadly, mental telepathy does not work. Unless you know what I was just thinking, in which case, e-mail me.

We flock to digital artifices that both feed and coddle our egos, says writer of online dating sites.

I've recently begun... researching popular dating sites. Not because I need a date. No! I don't need a date. I'm up to my ears in hot lady action.

No, this research is for you, for all of you. It's a testament to my generosity of spirit I waded through these interweb love sewers in order to impart some sort of wisdom. Here's the wisdom: dating sites are terrible.

Possibly, if I was in prison, an Alaskan crab fisherman or a morbidly obese shut-in so humongous I had to wash myself with a ShamWow stapled to a broom handle, I could see the value in such sites. But I'm not isolated, nor confined to a forklift.

I don't need a middleman brokering a get together between the potential woman of my dreams and my own abilities to self-sabotage and humiliate myself. I can do this without an intermediary. The Frisky: Have to go online to get a date?

This might or might not be a totally uninformed opinion. The extent of my research began and ended with me signing up for OK Cupid, and failing to finish my profile.

I couldn't even bring myself to pick a pseudonym, which just seemed like the first of many lies required to meet anyone. Do I call myself OptimusGandalf and admit from the get-go that I'm an alpha nerd? Do I overshare a little too much and pick EdgarAllanEeyore? Or do I just admit to being a snarky, pretentious creep and go for HumbertHumbert? The Frisky: Online dating dos and don'ts

I tried to fill out the profile, but instead, it just filled me with a quiet rage. The self-summary section was baffling. It pushed me into an existential identity crisis. Who am I? Or more importantly, who am I when it comes to who I want someone else to think I am, so they will contact me, go out with me, and eventually kiss me?

Am I a sensitive guy, or a romantic, or sarcastic? Maybe I'm all three. I love long walks, going to see live indie bands, and whatever. I made sure to pepper everything with winking non-sequiturs and casual attempts at pop profundity.

Then there was the section where I define myself by the books, movies, and music I listen to. My music list was a near impenetrable list of overly eclectic bands that reflect my excellent taste, punctuated by "and Genesis." My movies were all '80s flicks, foreign films, and David Lynch.

By the time I got to books, and wrote "Pynchon," I was in a full-fledged state of self-loathing. The Frisky: Five online dating types to avoid

Let me get this straight: I'm going to spend a ton of time crafting a persona that is a borderline dishonest amplification of the personality traits I think other people will find attractive so I can find someone who's done the same thing, and we can both go out and discover that we're equally compatible idiots fakers. It's like a masquerade party in the Twilight Zone: I take off my Brad Pitt mask just so I can reveal Sloth from "The Goonies." The Frisky: Downside of online dating

There are, no doubt, many of you who have met the love of your life via online dating sites. Good for you. Congratulations on basically winning the lottery. I firmly believe I have a better chance of getting a girlfriend dressed like Zeus, stopping women on the street, and bellowing

what does he says about online dating sites?

Answer: me as a member."

Summary:
Writer has trouble filling out his profile for an online dating service .
He figures if he is borderline dishonest about his traits, his date will be too .
Thinks he would be better off dressing like Zeus, bellowing on the street at women .
Says online dating sites draw singles who feel entitled to instant happiness .


(The Frisky) -- Groucho Marx once famously quipped "I don't care to belong to a club that would have me as a member." I sort of feel the same way about online dating sites. There has got to be a better way to meet people. Sadly, mental telepathy does not work. Unless you know what I was just thinking, in which case, e-mail me. We flock to digital artifices that both feed and coddle our egos, says writer of online dating sites. I've recently begun... researching popular dating sites. Not because I need a date. No! I don't need a date. I'm up to my ears in hot lady action. No, this research is for you, for all of you. It's a testament to my generosity of spirit I waded through these interweb love sewers in order to impart some sort of wisdom. Here's the wisdom: dating sites are terrible. Possibly, if I was in prison, an Alaskan crab fisherman or a morbidly obese shut-in so humongous I had to wash myself with a ShamWow stapled to a broom handle, I could see the value in such sites. But I'm not isolated, nor confined to a forklift. I don't need a middleman brokering a get together between the potential woman of my dreams and my own abilities to self-sabotage and humiliate myself. I can do this without an intermediary. The Frisky: Have to go online to get a date? This might or might not be a totally uninformed opinion. The extent of my research began and ended with me signing up for OK Cupid, and failing to finish my profile. I couldn't even bring myself to pick a pseudonym, which just seemed like the first of many lies required to meet anyone. Do I call myself OptimusGandalf and admit from the get-go that I'm an alpha nerd? Do I overshare a little too much and pick EdgarAllanEeyore? Or do I just admit to being a snarky, pretentious creep and go for HumbertHumbert? The Frisky: Online dating dos and don'ts I tried to fill out the profile, but instead, it just filled me with a quiet rage. The self-summary section was baffling. It pushed me into an existential identity crisis. Who am I? Or more importantly, who am I when it comes to who I want someone else to think I am, so they will contact me, go out with me, and eventually kiss me? Am I a sensitive guy, or a romantic, or sarcastic? Maybe I'm all three. I love long walks, going to see live indie bands, and whatever. I made sure to pepper everything with winking non-sequiturs and casual attempts at pop profundity. Then there was the section where I define myself by the books, movies, and music I listen to. My music list was a near impenetrable list of overly eclectic bands that reflect my excellent taste, punctuated by "and Genesis." My movies were all '80s flicks, foreign films, and David Lynch. By the time I got to books, and wrote "Pynchon," I was in a full-fledged state of self-loathing. The Frisky: Five online dating types to avoid Let me get this straight: I'm going to spend a ton of time crafting a persona that is a borderline dishonest amplification of the personality traits I think other people will find attractive so I can find someone who's done the same thing, and we can both go out and discover that we're equally compatible idiots fakers. It's like a masquerade party in the Twilight Zone: I take off my Brad Pitt mask just so I can reveal Sloth from "The Goonies." The Frisky: Downside of online dating There are, no doubt, many of you who have met the love of your life via online dating sites. Good for you. Congratulations on basically winning the lottery. I firmly believe I have a better chance of getting a girlfriend dressed like Zeus, stopping women on the street, and bellowing

Who does the writer feel he would be better off dressing as in order to find a date?

Answer: meet people.

Answer: like Zeus,

Summary:
Writer has trouble filling out his profile for an online dating service .
He figures if he is borderline dishonest about his traits, his date will be too .
Thinks he would be better off dressing like Zeus, bellowing on the street at women .
Says online dating sites draw singles who feel entitled to instant happiness .


(The Frisky) -- I know you are really, really upset -- but can you stop crying for a second so we can talk about the fact that Katherine Heigl is finally leaving "Grey's Anatomy?"

Long overdue, as far as I'm concerned. She has been annoying me since day one. How bad can the job really be? Hmmm, let's see. You get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to show up on set for 12 episodes -- then you get half the year off. Yeah, I think I'd quit too.

Her publicist claims she's out of there because she wants to spend more time with her newly adopted daughter, and that becoming a mother has "changed [her] desire to work full-time." That's sounds like sunshine and moonbeams and all, but the truth is that she's been petitioning to get Dr. Izzie Stevens written off for the last three years. Since her BFF T.R. Knight left, I suspect.

At least we can have some fun imagining how they might get rid of her. Drug overdose? Amnesia? Doctors Without Borders? Sex tape? Fun! Anyway, considering her last few movies were ludicrous rom-coms and she has a rep for biting the hand that feeds her, I'm thinking she may not be too popular in Hollywood after this. Plenty of other celebs have left cushy TV jobs for bigger and better things. Let's see how nine of them fared.

The Frisky - Sandra Bullock and other celebs who ditched the dead weight

1. Amanda Seyfried thinks she's too big for the filming schedule of "Big Love." That's why she's leaving the show -- to move back to New York City, pursue her film career, and live life to the fullest by eating spinach and seeds and popping pills. Mazel Tov, Amanda! But we're not sure how this is going to go for you.

2. Fans went crazy when ABC announced that it was canceling "My So-Called Life" after just one season. But then it came out that Claire Danes was the one who wanted the show to end -- she was ready to move on to a film career. She's had some hits, "Romeo & Juliet" and "Shopgirl," but she will always and forever be Angela Chase.

3. She's never confirmed it, but when "The O.C." killed off Marissa Cooper in the season finale of season three, most people assumed it was because Mischa Barton wanted to move on. The show trucked on without her -- for a season. Mischa's career, on the other hand: as dead as Marissa after the car wreck.

Frisky - 8 female stars who dated their managers

4. Rose McGowan replaced Shannen Doherty when good witch Prue Halliwell was "killed off" of "Charmed." Now she's working her magic on the judges of "Dancing With the Stars." Abracadabra! Save my career!

5. Never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually glad that Tina Fey left "SNL" to go on to write, produce, and star in "30 Rock." Yeah, she's pretty much taking over the industry and making money with much more than her looks.

The Frisky -- Britney and J. Lo did it: How a "How I Met Your Mother" cameo can turn a career around

6. Hunky George Clooney left "ER" in its fifth season to become the A-list movie star in the front row at the Oscars. A winning move? I'd say yes.

7. Nicollette Sheridan was so desperate to be polished like the jewel that she believed she was that she left "Desperate Housewives." She called the show "complacent," but creator Mark Cherry said her time was up because she had already slept with everyone on the show. Rumor has it that she has a new TV show coming out. Let's see if that jewel shines.

The Frisky - 10 stars whose relationships went sour after they found fame

8. Viewers cried and

Who is Heigl going to spend more time with?

Answer: newly adopted daughter,

Answer: wanted the show to end

Answer: she's out of there because she wants to spend more time with her newly adopted daughter, and that becoming a mother has "changed [her] desire to work full-time."

Answer: Claire Danes

Answer: "The O.C."

Summary:
Claire Danes was the one who wanted "My So-Called Life" to end .
Mischa Barton has never confirmed she wanted "The O.C." to kill off her character .
Heigl's publicist says she's leaving the show to spend more time with her daughter .


(The Frisky) -- I once told my mother about a girl I had a crush on. At the time, I think I was about 16, and I had so much acne that if I fell asleep at a library, when I woke up, a blind guy would be trying to read my face. "Just go for her," my mother said. "It's not that simple," I said, while filling out my order form for 25 crates of Noxzema. "She's got a boyfriend." "Well, don't do anything differently. Act like she doesn't. That's how I got your father." She then walked out of the room, leaving my pasty teenage complexion an extra shade of white as I actually contemplated my mother dating. I've since related this story as an example of how hitting on someone with a significant other isn't always a terrible thing. Hey, if they're not married or serious, go for it. However, if you're considering trying to get a guy who has a girlfriend, there are a few things you should know. The Frisky: The Top 5 online dating do's and don'ts for guys First, I'll admit guys will hit on anything. I once observed one of my friends hitting on a street sign. Granted, he was drunk, but it did not matter to him that he was hitting on an inanimate object, or that the street sign was a little out of his league. Men do have standards, but when they're single, they'll hit on a woman with a boyfriend. They'll hit on nuns. Very occasionally, they'll hit on nuns with boyfriends. I'm not going to defame my own kind, but women can be better at subtlety, and you should use this to your advantage. The Frisky: Is cheating worse when you're married? I'm a big anti-cheating guy, so if a woman hit on me while I had a girlfriend, I'd be flattered. If she offered to go home with me or tried to kiss me or something like that, milk would shoot out of my nose and I'd run for the hills. (I have an odd fight-or-flight mechanism.) Subtlety is your friend. We'll pick up on the signals. If a guy is interested, wait for him to honorably break up with his girlfriend before the two of you start dating. Frankly, this is just good manners. The Frisky: To tell or not to tell on a cheater? It should go without saying that it's bad form to hit on a guy while his girlfriend is actually there, or even if she's in the same town. Men have a well-honed sense of panic that kicks in when someone's hitting on them while their girlfriends are in the same ZIP code. We know that women can read us, so unless you're hitting on a really shady guy, you'll scare him off as he runs home to call his girl and tell the story of the Evil Homewrecking Woman. The Frisky: Can couples get past infidelity? One last thing: If you do snag a guy away from his girlfriend, be wary. The good news is that, despite the popular perception, most of us men tend to be loyal once we're in a committed relationship. But know that if it happened once, it can happen again. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

what could make you "Evil Homewrecking Woman"?

Answer: hit on a guy while his girlfriend is actually there, or even if she's in the same town.

Answer: infidelity?

Answer: anything.

Answer: snag a guy away from his girlfriend,

Summary:
Writer: Some guys will hit on anything -- even inanimate objects .
Writer: Hitting on a man when his girlfriend is nearby could make you "Evil Homewrecking Woman"
If you snag him away from someone, be wary: It could happen again, writer says .


(The Frisky) -- I'm sitting alone in my apartment on a rainy night. I'm restless, mildly bored, and, yes, I'll admit it, but please don't tell anyone ... lonely.

It's days like this that I'm sure that there's no more love in store for me -- all of the epically momentous possibilities must have already passed me by. Somehow I blinked and missed them.

It's in moments like this that I allow myself the small indulgence of thinking about Sebastian.

Our story had all of the makings of a great love story. Once upon a time we met one evening in a dark, crowded party. He told me I was beautiful. I was young enough for him to appear larger than life. We kissed on the sidewalk in the rain. I fell hard for him -- hard like scrape-me-off-the-floor-with-a-spatula hard.

But we were wrong for each other in every way. We were young, immature, and troubled. It ended tragically -- Sebastian stood me up on a cold, snowy New Year's Eve and the two of us never spoke again. I went on with my life.

I wonder what Sebastian is doing right now. I wonder if I will ever love anyone that way again -- with an open heart. I decide to cruise the internet for inspiration -- narrowly avoiding the temptation to do a Google search of Sebastian's name.

The intention of my search? To remind myself that love really exists. A tall, existential order for sure, yet a valid one. I practice it often. On the street, on the subway. Every time I encounter a seemingly happy couple I say to myself, "See you bitter old hag, people fall in love all the time."

I find the kind of cinematic headline I'm looking for: "Gulf War Pen Pals Get Married After Facebook Encounter 19 Years Later." Touché.

As a teenager, Jamie Benefit decided to reach out to the troops during the Gulf War. She addressed a letter of support and encouragement to "Any Soldier." Jamie's anonymous letter found its way into the hands of 19-year-old soldier Jeremy Clayton.

Jamie and Jeremy continued to write each other for the duration of the war, to exchange stories and keep their minds off of the scary worlds around them. After the war ended, the two lost touch. Jamie wrapped up her letters in a patriotic ribbon, put them away in a safe place, and moved on with her life.

The Frisky: I was the other woman -- should I tell?

Nineteen years later, Jamie got curious one day (maybe she was sitting alone in her apartment on a rainy evening?) and looked for Jeremy on Facebook and sent a simple message to a man with his name, asking, "Were You In Desert Storm?" That was all Jeremy needed in order to know that he had to see Jamie again.

The two met up in person a few months later. When Jeremy finally saw Jamie he says of the moment, "It took my breath, I was actually shaking and I'm a pretty strong man. I just said to myself, 'You have to do whatever you can to make sure you spend the rest of your life with this woman.'" A few months later they were married.

The Frisky: How to handle an overly dependent BFF

Wow. Just like that huh? War. Letters. Great distances. Great danger. Years apart. Reunion. Facebook. Marriage. I'm sure someone in Hollywood will be calling any minute to option the rights to the film. Maybe they'll call it "Love in a Time of Bush."

I should feel inspired that love happens -- exponentially and effortlessly -- yet I feel nothing but skepticism. Does this actually happen in real life? Like, real real life?

The Frisky: Need to say goodbye to single life before I can find love?

Like Jamie and Jeremy, Sebastian and I lost

On what kind of nights are people tempted to Google an old love?

Answer: rainy

Summary:
Late on rainy, lonely nights, some people are tempted to Google an old love .
One story about a soldier and teen had a happy Facebook ending .
Inspired writer searches for and meets up with her old love .
But finds he's  older, more mature, version of the awful of the guy who broke her heart .