(The Frisky) -- I've never really been a fan of the "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" school of relationship thought, but I'll admit that sometimes I feel as though the men I've dated have spoken a different language.

Like when a great date is followed by the deafening silence of the phone. Or when the big relationship talk results in a boyfriend-shaped hole in my wall.

Those are the times I want nothing more than a dictionary that translates every deer-in-headlights look, ambiguous voicemail, and cryptic text message.

That's where Jeff Mac's "Manslations: Decoding the Secret Language of Men" comes in.

The good

Actions speak louder than words. Sure, not a novel idea, but this "duh" lesson is one that can take years to learn. If it looks, walks, and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck.

Mac's Golden Rule? Whenever there is any conflict between what a man says and what he does, always, always ignore what he says.

There is no such thing as a man dumping you because he is afraid of getting hurt, is frightened that his feelings are too strong, or because he finds you intimidating. Mac says to think of the simplest solution -- is it that this man sensed you were the perfect woman for him, who touched him so much in deep, important places that he couldn't handle? Or was he just not feeling it?

It's OK to call him first -- and if you get blown off, it's not because you called first. This is my favorite piece of advice from Mac, who says the mistaken conclusion women come to when they call first post-date and get blown off is that the call made them look clingy and spooked the guy.

"This is not how it went," says Mac. "If you called him and he blew you off, it went like this:

1. You had a great date, and he did not.

2. He planned to blow you off.

3. You called him, and nothing changed."

The bad

All men are obsessed with cars, the remote, sports, and video games. Yawn.

For the record, my man keeps his video game playtime short, hands remote control power over to me, and doesn't care for sports or cars. Is my guy an exception to the rule, or is it possible that all men are different and do not necessarily share those interests as a gender? I'm guessing it's the latter.

The ugly

Men are like dogs. Is this statement required filler for all dating books, right after the part about women being shopping-obsessed nags?

According to Mac, men are like dogs because, among other things, they have short attention spans and pay a lot of attention to their own crotches and the crotches of others. I'm willing to bet short attention span isn't an inherently male trait, and I can personally testify that neither is an interest in crotches.

So is Jeff Mac's "Manslations" the be-all and end-all of man manuals? Not exactly.

But when your girlfriends refuse to help you decode, for the eighth time, what he meant when he said, "I'll call you later," Jeff Mac's sometimes trite, always funny advice comes in handy.

TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Whose language is being decoded?
What else has Mac wrote?
Is it okay to call a guy first?
What is it ok to do?

Answer: the Secret

Answer: "Manslations: Decoding the Secret Language of Men"

Answer: OK

Answer: call him first

Summary:
Woman rates Jeff Mac's "Manslations: Decoding the Secret Language of Men"
If there's conflict between what man says or does, always ignore what he says .
Her favorite:OK for women to call guy first, and if dumped, it's not because of call .


(The Frisky) -- Last weekend at a party, I noticed a toad-like man attaching himself to a beautiful, talented friend of mine. Not only was she way out of his league, looks-wise, but as I eavesdropped I discovered he was one of those dudes who delivers endless monologues instead of engaging in actual conversations. Too many women are afraid to say, "No," says author. Ladies, I think we've all been stuck with that guy. Now it was my friend's turn. I could tell by her stunned look of horror that she wanted nothing to do with him, but she seemed frozen. My pal Ivan and I tried to intervene. "Let's go get some cake," we suggested, physically pulling her from his side. Her relief was short-lived as he tracked her down and reattached himself to her hip. Watching her go through this made me think back on how many times I've been afraid to say no. Maybe "afraid" is the wrong word, but I've spent hours worrying about offending men who would've had no problem offending me if the situation were reversed. So I was thrilled when a copy of the hilarious book, "The Power of NO: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay" landed on my doorstep. As the title suggests, TPON is about learning to not only say no, but to embrace no, something women seem to have an inexplicably harder time doing than men. I shot off an email to author Beth Wareham asking her why we womenfolk find it so painful to blow-off a troll. "The psycho-sexual-societal bulls--t that makes women be such wimps in the face of an odious man is in our DNA. And young women often make the dreadful mistake of thinking everyone has to like them," she fired back. The Frisky: 13 Woman you're dating is a loser "I believe that some dumb guy bugging you is a great moment to really march out a lie," she continues. "I mean, really, who goes around harassing strangers? Say, 'I have herpes.' Say, 'I am a hermaphrodite.' Say any damn thing you want to say but get him out of your face. You have ONE LIFE. Don't give chunks of it to this kind of dude!" The Frisky: I'm just not that into anyone anymore But for some guys -- and, let's face it, girls, too -- the word "no" can have an opposite effect, acting as an aphrodisiac. Wareham says, "Human beings want what they do not and cannot have." But sometimes you mean it! In that case, a persistent leghumper should be ignored, or reported to the cops if he gets stalky. "Don't answer. It's your door, your cell. And, if it gets too bad, try 911," she advises. "You wouldn't let anyone else harass you like that, would you?" The Frisky: Are these dating habits cute or crazy? Okay, so how about the Ambiguous Dater -- the cute guy who wants to "hang out," but never seems to make any plans. "No hanging out, ever," Wareham insists. "If the guy can't think up an interesting date and find $40.00 bucks for a burrito and movie, no go. Dating should never be 'hanging out.' Save that for marriage." The Frisky: How to deal with ambiguous dater How about dumping someone, I asked. How do you do that nicely? "I am not the woman to ask if you want kindly, " Wareham replied. "But, I do know this, keep the tone friendly. The less you imbue language with strong emotion, the better. I once said, 'Dude, it was way fun and I learned lots. But you yelled Mommy! during sex.' That happened to me, by the way." Hey,

What is the name of the book that helps people say no?

Answer: "No,"

Answer: Beth Wareham

Answer: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay"

Answer: "No,"

Summary:
Women hesitate to say no out of fear they will offend men, columnist says .
"The Power of NO: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay" has tips on saying no .
Author: The word "no" can act as an aphrodisiac for some men .
When saying, 'No" keep the tone friendly, but emotion-free, writer says .


(The Frisky) -- Like the David Letterman Debacle wasn't bad enough, now we have the story of Steve Phillips, the ESPN analyst, who had an affair with a 22-year-old coworker. Unfortunately for the 46-year-old sports dude and married father of four, his latest dalliance (and apparently there've been others before her) turned bunny boiler when he broke it off with her. Brooke Hundley, the jilted junior, allegedly went ballistic; repeatedly emailing and calling Phillips' long-suffering wife, tricking their 16-year-old son into an online flirtation, and then finally showing up at the family home, scaring the crap out of everyone. Lucky for Hundley, the Phillips's declined to press charges, but her reputation, both professionally and personally, is shot. (His too. He's since been fired from ESPN and has entered a treatment facility.) Obviously, being some cad's side action is always a sucker's game, but if you're going to do it, do it right. The Frisky: If he's not on the market, shop elsewhere! Choose carefully It's bad enough that you're "dating" a married guy, but when you start sleeping with someone who's in a position of authority over you, you're screwing yourself twice. Every good grade will be chalked up to your romance with the professor and every promotion, credited to time served on your back. Don't kid yourself that nobody in your class or office knows, because people aren't blind and you're not that slick. Don't go home with him Maybe he's too cheap to pay for a hotel room, could be he secretly wants to get caught . . . then again, maybe he's just a sociopath, but I can't even tell you how many times I've heard about a marriage dude bringing his girlfriend back to the house he shares with his wife and kids -- usually when everyone's out of town, but not always. Letterman even took his mistress on vacation with his family! Whatever his motivation, resist. You're already hurting this woman by having sex with her husband; at least have the decency to stay out of the bed they share. The Frisky: Can couples get past infidelity? Accept that you're No. 2 Married guys will tell you a lot of things in their quest to bed you. That they haven't slept with their [insert bitchy descriptor here] wives for [insert insanely long period of time here] and that they're only staying together for the [kids/finances/etc.]. You need to know going in that you will always come second. (Or third. Or fourth.) Sure, you might get expensive gifts, but you'll also be spending nearly every holiday by your lonesome, you'll never meet his friends, and plans will be canceled on a moment's notice if something more important (i.e., anything) comes up. The Frisky: How to handle being the other woman You're not his first . . . When an acquaintance of mine started an affair with a married coworker, she was furious when I suggested this might not be the first time he'd strayed during his very long marriage. She screamed that I was a cynic and that their love was a special flower they alone shared. (On the conference room floor.) Okay, she didn't use the term "special flower," but that was the gist. A week later I got an embarrassed call back reporting that, contrary to what he'd told her, he'd been straying since his wedding day. A cheat and a liar -- who would've guessed?! The Frisky: 10 ways to punish a cheater ...And probably won't be his last Most guys don't leave their wives for the women they're seeing on the side. Yes, I know -- your grand passion is "different." Snort. But what if he actually does splinter the family into bits and make a (semi) honest woman out of you

Answer: Phillips's

Summary:
Woman rarely come out ahead after having affair with married men, columnist says .
ESPN fired Steve Phillips and Brooke Hundley's reputation is shot after affair .
Writer says women should realize men rarely cheat just once .
Quotes Web site saying 3 percent of cheaters wed, 3 percent of those marriages survive .


(The Frisky) -- Natalie Portman is getting a lot of Oscar buzz for her performance in "Black Swan." And while the young actress certainly deserves the attention for the mind-bending role, we're a little concerned that a dud of a movie is about to hit theaters that could distract critics from her performance in the ballet thriller. Her rom-com "No Strings Attached," also starring Ashton Kutcher, is coming out right before the Oscars.

Sometimes when this kind of thing happens, it makes the stronger performance seem like a fluke and can cost an actor precious Academy votes. But Natalie would not be the first star who went from stellar performance to getting stuck in a stinker.

From "Dreamgirls to "Norbit"

Apparently, a lot of people felt that Eddie Murphy's shot at winning an Oscar for his role in "Dreamgirls" evaporated after his 2007 movie "Norbit." For his role as James "Thunder" Early in "Dreamgirls," Murphy took home a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award and earned an Oscar nomination (but not a win), but when "Norbit" dropped in theaters, the movie ended up winning eight Golden Raspberry "Razzie" awards. That's a lot of bad "fruit."

The Frisky: Pics of 15 celebrity slobs

America's sweetheart bombs

Sandra Bullock made history in 2010 for winning both an Oscar and a Razzie in the same year. Actually, make that in the same weekend! Before accepting her Best Actress Oscar for "The Blind Side," the gracious actress accepted a Razzie for Worst Actress in "All About Steve." We're sure her two statues sit side by side.

From "Good Will" to six stinkers

Ben Affleck took home an Oscar in 1997 for writing "Good Will Hunting," so I suppose his acting prowess wasn't exactly on the line. But he followed up that win with a number of truly mediocre roles and was nominated for Worst Actor of the Decade Razzie this year for his contributions to film in "Daredevil," "Gigli," "Jersey Girl," "Paycheck," "Pearl Harbor," and "Surviving Christmas." Ouch. But it should be noted that Affleck did accept his 2004 Razzie in person, so at least he's a good sport.

The Frisky: 12 celebs who've denied getting breast implants

"Catwoman" was a "Monster"

Actress Halle Berry followed her 2002 Academy Award for Best Actress in "Monster's Ball" with a Razzie Award for Worst Actress in "Catwoman" in 2005. Berry accepted her Razzie while holding her Academy Award, which is awesomely ... awesome.

The Frisky: 10 female stars who are OK with nudity

He should have said "no" to "Vice"

Jamie Foxx had a great year in 2004 after winning an Oscar for "Ray," getting another nomination for "Collateral," and having a hit song with "Slow Jamz." But he followed that strong year with films like "Miami Vice" and "Valentine's Day," which, no matter what anyone says, was super mediocre.

She had a good and a bad "marriage" movie

Her performance in 2008's "Rachel Getting Married" earned Anne Hathaway an Oscar nomination, but her other bridal-themed flop, "Bride Wars," the following year made us forget all about it. Wedding-themed movies are just a hard genre to get right.

The Frisky: 10 Hollywood female celebs under 35 who are "out"

From piano man to sci-fi flop

Nothing could make me stop loving Adrien Brody, but he did manage to disappoint critics when he followed up his 2003 Best Actor Oscar for "The Pianist" with "The Singing Detective" and (shudder) "King Kong." And now he's wasting his talent in weird sc-fi movies like "Splice" and "Predators?" Get this man a period piece, pronto!

The Frisky: 30 things every woman should quit doing by 30

TM &

what is coming before the oscars
What is her rom-com called?
Who made history?
When did Sandra Bullock make history?
what did bullock make
What's the name of Portman's rom-com?
When did Halle Berry win an Oscar?
When is it coming out?

Answer: "No Strings Attached,"

Answer: "No Strings Attached,"

Answer: Sandra Bullock

Answer: in 2010

Answer: history

Answer: "No Strings Attached,"

Answer: 2002

Answer: right before the Oscars.

Summary:
Portman's rom-com "No Strings Attached" is coming out right before the Oscars .
Sandra Bullock made history in 2010 for winning both an Oscar and a Razzie .
Halle Berry followed her 2002 Academy Award with a Razzie Award in 2005 .


(The Frisky) -- Sometimes, I suppose, even celebrities need a few extra bucks. Maybe they want to buy a new Benz or a house in the south of France or add a bowling alley to the basement of their mansion? Whatever their motive, many turn to advertising when singing, acting or modeling gigs start to dry up.

Usually, they just stand around and talk about the product and the commercial isn't too much of a stretch. But some celebrity endorsements have left us scratching our heads. Take Dita von Teese who, this summer, is teaming up with Perrier for their new "paparazzi" line. We aren't really sure what burlesque and paparazzi have to do with sparkling water but, hey, it'll probably work. Here are nine more star hucksters peddling strange wares.

The Frisky: 10 hottest Hollywood moms over 40

Carrie Bradshaw is so PC now

In "Sex and the City," columnist Carrie Bradshaw does all of her writing on a Mac. She's been shown typing away on it for many, many years -- through all the seasons and the first movie. But in "Sex and the City 2," Bradshaw will be using an HP because of a partnership with Hewlett-Packard. She'll also be showing up in some of their television commercials, print ads, outdoor ads and online ads. Some of the other characters in the movie will be representing the product, too. And they think die-hard fans won't notice the switch?

The Frisky: I sabotaged my relationship to have drinks with my ex

King of Darkness' soft spot for butter

Ozzy Osbourne did a spot for ... butter. Well, actually, it was for "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter," which is a combination of chemicals meant to resemble butter. Still, who'd have guessed this old rock star would be doing food ads? Perhaps they paid him in alcohol? At least they didn't have him spread the stuff on a bat.

Punk icon turned insurance salesman

Iggy Pop showed up in a commercial for Swift Cover, which is some kind of insurance for your insurance. That's pretty strange in and of itself but the ad featured Iggy dancing, twitching and sweating while standing topless in front of a purple screen and saying weird things through a clenched, wrinkly jaw. This is a good way not to sell a product.

The Frisky: 14 examples of the worst facial hair in Major League Baseball

Designer Coke

In April, Karl Lagerfeld teamed up with Coke, designing a new and very pretentious-looking Coca-Cola "Light" bottle, to be sold at $5 a pop. Not surprisingly, it is a chic combo of black, white and pink and has a picture of Lagerfeld on it. Die-hard fans can purchase the $80 boxed set at the exclusive Colette boutique in Paris, which comes with one bottle of Lagerfeld's Coca Cola "Light," a display box, and a bottle opener. Or, you Coke fans just buy a regular bottle of Coca-Cola for $.99?

Water does her hot body good

We all know hot models and celebs move products off shelves, but now even bottled water companies are using super hot stars to push their products. Recently, Jennifer Aniston teamed up with Smart Water and their new ad shows the 41-year-old actress posing with rock-hard abs and a big bottle of the pricey water. The ads call Smart Water Aniston's "workout partner," but, let's face it: it's just water, which is basically everyone's workout partner.

Twilight star's titillating print ad

Ashley Greene, who played Alice in "Twilight," also did a weird stint for advertising all in the name of "healthy" water. She wore a painted-on swimsuit (and nothing else but paint) that made her look like she was covered in scales for SoBe's Lifewater, a calorie-free drink that's sort of like water, but it's not.

Alice Cooper eats peas for cash

In one

Who is Bradshaw entering a partnership with?

What are von Teese and Perrier teaming up for?

What does Aniston's ad for Smart Water show?

Answer: Hewlett-Packard.

Answer: their new "paparazzi" line.

Answer: Smart Water

Answer: Perrier

Answer: the 41-year-old actress posing with rock-hard abs and a big bottle of the pricey

Answer: Bradshaw

Answer: HP

Summary:
Dita von Teese is teaming up with Perrier for their new "paparazzi" line this summer .
Bradshaw (Parker) will be using an HP because of a partnership with Hewlett-Packard .
Jennifer Aniston's ad for Smart Water shows the acress posing with rock-hard abs .


(The Frisky) -- Sunday is the series finale of "Lost." For the past six seasons of "Lost," every single episode has brought us at least one new oddity to ponder. And yet, as frequently as questions are posed, it's not that often a question is actually answered. This is why the love the show, but also what makes it such an ever-evolving mind bender. Now we are down to the final episode. It's a long one -- two and a half hours to be exact -- but it has all us fans wondering, how the heck are they going to tie up all the loose ends? Sadly, they won't.

Today, producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse announced that because they felt they didn't have enough time to finish all the story lines, the season six DVD will contain 20 extra minutes. But, um, we don't want to wait until August or have to drop $50 to know everything! So, guys, here are 10 questions we need the answers to on Sunday. Mmm-k?

The Frisky: 11 most romantic (and hawt) "Lost" clips

1. What the heck is the island?

So many different theories have been presented by different characters this season. Is the island a cork on a wine bottle of evil that keeps the darkness from spilling out into the regular world, as suggested by Jacob? Is the island hell and everyone on it is dead, as Isabella told Ricardo? Or is it a hiding place for the world's life source, as Jacob and the Man in Black's mother proposed? Or is it something else entirely?

2. What's up with that white light?

Jacob has been tasked with guarding the white light for forever, and in this week's episode, Jack volunteered to take over the job -- which makes sense, as Jacob tells him that the light is near the bamboo field where he awoke in the show's first seconds. But, uh, what is the light exactly? And whom does it need to be protected from?

The Frisky: The 5 most kick-butt scenes in "Lost"

3. Why are the characters' lives in the "sideways" universe different from what they were before the crash?

All season, we've been getting flashes to an alternate reality where flight 815 never crashes and lands safely in Los Angeles. Some of the characters' lives match up with what we've seen in flashbacks to their lives before the crash. But most are way different -- for example, Jack has a son, Locke has a loving fiancé, and Desmond appears to be a bad guy (maybe?) pulling strings and making puppets dance. Why?

4. Speaking of, what is Desmond's function in all this?

Last episode, we found out that Desmond is a "fail safe." And we've known for a while now that, somehow, he survived the electromagnetic explosion of the hatch. Is Desmond super-powered? Because of the explosion, or has the island always been his destiny too? How will he play into whatever is coming?

The Frisky: 8 things I will NOT miss about "Lost" going away

5. What about the polar bears?

In the series pilot, Sawyer shoots and kills a polar bear. We know that the Dharma Initiative kept them in the cages -- but did they bring them? Or were they already there?

6. Why can't women have babies on the island?

Another question that goes seasons back with no explanation. Why was Claire able to give birth to Aaron and Jacob and the Man in Black's mother able to give birth to them -- but all other women on the island are unable to have babies?

7. How will Jack try to kill the Man in Black?

When Jack took over for Jacob, Jacob said Jack must "do what he couldn't -- kill him." So how exactly does one go about killing a lethal cloud of black smok? Guess we'll

How many extra minutes will the season six DVD contain?

How many extra minutes will the DVD have?

Answer: 20 extra minutes.

Answer: 20

Answer: Claire

Answer: 20

Answer: Claire

Summary:
The "Lost" season six DVD will contain 20 extra minutes .
Why was Claire able to give birth, but the other women are not?
Jack has a wound on his neck that keeps reopening for no apparent reason .


(The Frisky) -- The new year is a time for taking stock, a time for looking back and learning as well as looking ahead towards a richer future, secure in knowing that the lessons we've learned this past year will help us lead a better life in the next.

Obviously, there is no better source for these life lessons than within the annals of celebrity gossip. Celebrities are richer than us, prettier than us, and -- with rare exception -- skinnier than us. We watch them onscreen and/or listen to their songs -- why shouldn't we learn from their mistakes?

Sadly for them, 2009 was a rough year for famous people in relationships. There were more breakups than there were deaths! But luckily for us, there are valuable nuggets of knowledge contained within almost every celebrity split.

You aren't going to love the same guy at 30 that you did at 13.

Susie Sprague reportedly had the hots for Corey Feldman since she was a wee child mooning over "Goonies." And while Corey had been an adorable little moppet, his grown-up years were filled with drugs, 12-step programs, and reality TV. Five years and one kid into their marriage, Susie wised up and ditched her Lost Boy.

Same goes for Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley, who met and fell in love when she was a teenager -- after three years together, she grew up (sorta) and filed for divorce.

The Frisky: How my May-December romance went horribly wrong

Don't date (or marry) your dad

Yes, I know, there are plenty of May/December romances that work out just fine, but there are going to be issues when your pop-cultural touchstone is "Gossip Girl" and his is "Gilligan's Island."

If you don't believe me, just ask Billy Joel and Katie Lee, Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia, Lily Allen and her 45-year-old art dealer ex, or TR Knight and the scandalously younger Mark Cornelsen.

The Frisky: 7 things to know about Matt Kemp, Rihanna's new man

Twitter is not for feuding lovers.

While some were titillated by Lindsay Lohan's foray into lesbianism with DJ Sam Ronson, reading their snitty Twits proved that gay relationships can be every bit as boring and stupid as straight ones.

The Frisky: 13 annoying ways people abuse Facebook, Twitter

Don't be anyone's Pocket Pal.

Just like huge disparities in age, income and education, sometimes the size gap just can't be overcome. Of course I'm speaking of teeny-weeny Christina Ricci and her jumbo-sized ex-fiancé.

According to their reps, it was an amicable split due to the usual publicist-generated reasons, but c'mon. If your boyfriend can pick you up with one hand and zip you up in the pocket of his gargantuan windbreaker, it's just not an even match.

The Frisky: Freakish celebrity couple height differences

Professional athletes are probably going to cheat on you.

I'm sure Elin Nordegren thought she was going to be the exception to this rule. I mean, for one, she's gorgeous. For another, she married the most boring sports star on the planet. Tom Brady -- I think we can all imagine him cheating. But Tiger Woods? His college nickname was "Urkel".

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

Were more celebrity breakups than deaths in 2009?

What is the balance between breakups and death in 2009?

Were more deaths than celebrity breakups in 2009?

There were more celebrity breakups in 2009 than what?

You aren't going to love the same guy at 30 that you did when?

Answer: There

Answer: than there were

Answer: Christina

Answer: There

Answer: deaths!

Answer: 13.

Summary:
There were more celebrity breakups in 2009 than there were deaths .
One lesson: You aren't going to love the same guy at 30 that you did at 13 .
Sometimes a size gap can't be overcome, writer learns from Christina Ricci .


(The Frisky) -- There are certain families -- like, say, the Coppolas and the Gyllenhaals -- where coolness seems to be infused in the DNA. I'd like to add another to the list: the Reitmans. Papa Ivan is the producer behind flicks like "Ghostbusters" and "Animal House," and son Jason grew up on his sets. "I was on the set of 'Animal House' when I was 11 days old. It had a profound effect on me," Jason joked this week on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." When he was in his early teens, Jason started working as a production assistant and his dad even cast him in a few small roles. "I was 13 and my dad gave me a scene in 'Kindergarten Cop' kissing a girl -- and that was in fact my first kiss," said Jason. "My first kiss was directed by my father. You don't know what it's like to have to do eight takes of your first kiss while Arnold Schwarzenegger's pointing a gun at you and your dad's like, 'Grab her a little more.'" While Jason probably could have busted into filmmaking by birthright, he decided against directing "Dude, Where's My Car?" which he was offered, and instead worked on short films to gain clout. "It's interesting because I avoided working with my dad for a while because I was so sensitive of being accused of the idea of nepotism," he said. "I remember when I was 19 years old I started a desk calendar company to pay for my first short film just so I could say one day my daddy didn't pay for my first short film. And I really established myself through the film festival world, starting at Sundance and lots of film festivals and really took on a different style of film from my father." Soon, Jason directed "Thank You For Smoking." Then the amazingness that was "Juno." And now, of course, he is the Best Director/Best Picture forerunner with his movie "Up In The Air," which is getting all sorts of critical acclaim. "Up in the Air" is the first project the two worked on together. "I love my father and we have such a strong bond and I look up to him as a filmmaker and a storyteller," said Jason. "So it was great and when I see the credits and it says produced by Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, my heart swells. It's really, really cool." Ivan echoes that sentiment. "It's great to be the producer of this kind of movie and sort of share in its success and the goodwill that comes with it," he said. "But as a parent it's kind of this remarkable emotional moment that's kind of hard to describe." And it's not like Ivan's career is over -- he has a script in the works for "Ghostbusters 3" and the word on the street is that Bill Murray will be making a cameo in it as a ghost himself. Could this family be any cooler? TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Who was the prducer of "Ghostbusters" and "Animal House"

What is the first movie the pair has worked on?

Who are behind award darling "Up in the Air"?

Answer: Papa Ivan

Answer: Papa Ivan

Answer: "Thank You For Smoking."

Answer: "Up in the Air"

Answer: Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman,

Answer: Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman,

Summary:
Ivan and Jason Reitman are the father/son tandem behind award darling "Up in the Air"
The father, Ivan was the producer behind "Ghostbusters" and "Animal House"
The son, Jason grew up on sets and directed "Thank You for Smoking" and "Juno"
"Up in the Air" is the first movie the pair has worked on together .


(The Frisky) -- There are two sides to almost every breakup -- the dumper and the dumpee. (Sorry, I don't buy those "mutual" decision splits. I'm sure they happen, but they're as rare as a fat cell on Madonna's rear end, so they don't count.)

Don't haunt the person you dumped by sending them a birthday card.

While it's ideal when both sides exit the relationship with dignity, it's much easier to be the Gracious Ex when you're the dumper. After all, it was your bright idea to break up. You've had time to wrap your head around it, and really, who are you kidding -- you probably have a replacement lined up already.

So we're going to start with you, the breaker-upper, because your list of "How Not to Be" is a lot shorter. Without further adieu, you definitely should not:

â€¢ Refuse to be the bad guy. Every breakup has one and, as the dumper, you need to suck it up and admit you're it. Even if you're not particularly evil, you're the one who used his heart as a hankie, so don't call him, wondering if he's "OK." Not only does it not absolve you from anything (and that's really all you're looking for), it's presumptuous. And while we're at it, don't even think about acknowledging milestones. Nothing says Unhappy Birthday like a store-bought greeting card from the person who ruined your life (at least for a while).

â€¢ "Friending" them. There is not one action more weaselly than kicking someone to the curb one week, only to send them a "Zombie Hug" on Facebook the next. I went out with one dude whose MySpace page consisted solely of women he'd wrung through his emotional wringer. Guess who he tried to add next? I don't think so, buddy.

â€¢ Leave them on your band/performance/whatever SPAM list. The best thing about getting dumped by a musician/actress/mime is that you never have to sit through another one of their lame performances. The second worst thing about these emails is that they serve as a reminder you still draw breath and are experiencing some level of success. But the all-time worst aspect is that you just know that the list of recipients includes the person she's currently snogging. This goes up an extra notch of excruciating when the sender doesn't utilize the BCC function.

â€¢ Throwing the sad face. True, running into someone you've emotionally eviscerated is uncomfortable, but if you happen to cross paths with your ex, be polite, be discreet, and move on quickly. Don't coo and hover, your exaggerated frown telegraphing their status as the booted party to any and all in the area. Getting dumped is humiliating enough without the insincere theatrics.

â€¢ Rebound with a friend or family. The ultimate in sketchy ex behavior would have to be dumping a dude to get to his cousin (or brother). Next up is his best friend. If you're going to go there, at least wait a couple days before you do so.

â€¢ Backsies! How many times have you finally gotten over someone, only to have them come bounding back into your life the second you meet someone new? It's uncanny -- and unbelievably irritating -- how often this happens. Don't be that person.

To ensure you won't, before you have "the talk" with your no-longer-significant other, picture him making out with your best friend. Are you a) mildly intrigued; b) livid; or c) relieved that he found someone else because now he won't cry when you tell him to get lost. If you picked A or C, you're good to go. If B was your answer, well, you'll get what you deserve when he starts dating your hotter, younger cousin.

TM & Â© 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

What don't you do after you dump someone?

What should you not do after dumping someone?

What list should you remove your ex from?

What shouldn't  you do to them on social networking sites?

What situation is this advice applicable to?

Answer: sending them a birthday card.

Answer: Don't haunt the person

Answer: "How Not to Be"

Answer: Don't haunt the person

Answer: breakup

Summary:
After you've dumped someone, don't try to date his friends or relatives .
Take your ex off all your SPAM lists so you don't haunt him .
Do not "Zombie Hug" or poke them on social networking sites .


(The Frisky) -- There exists a school of thought that dictates if you think something catastrophic, then it won't happen. What would happen if my family died in a car accident? What would happen if my house caught on fire? "What makes men connect with the girl of their dreams after sparking with me?" the author asks. Two summers ago, I asked myself: Wouldn't it suck if my first love met someone unexpectedly and got over me before I could begin to move on? Thankfully, my family and my house are safe, but my feelings, my love life, and my ego still need mending. "I met someone." The text message appeared on the screen of my phone and I stopped walking. A group of my friends and I were leaving the movie theater, and it was as if all feelings he had for me were obliterated in one night. We broke up because he was studying in Europe. Poetically, we had expressed our feelings for each other just two nights before. Then he became someone else's boyfriend, and remained so, for much longer than he and I lasted. I should've known it would happen, since it happens quite often. My first kiss, who refused to be my boyfriend, met the girl of his dreams while I still ached for him. They're still together today. Since then, I've been the second choice for several more men. The most recent ones occurred this summer, when I tried and failed to win the heart of my friend Ken -- he started dating the person that he truly liked instead of settling for me. I lost Brian to his ex-girlfriend (although, in that case, I think they belonged together anyway). Each time, I laughed one of those sad, desperate guffaws -- here we go again! What makes men connect with the girl of their dreams after sparking with me? Another concept may be more applicable to my situation: the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Perhaps I'm so aware of my "magic touch" that I'm making it happen. While the first love arrived in Europe, I even warned him what may happen. At the time, though, he waved the thought away. "I'm so picky, I rarely really like a girl like I like you," he typed. A month later, he must've been pleasantly shocked to discover my unfortunate power reached across the Atlantic Ocean. When Ken told me he was dating Mary, I was angry I'd let this happen to me again. I raged at him. He argued that it's irrational to use my past experience to predict the outcome of my future relationships (or my attempts at them). I'm sure that there'll be a guy someday who doesn't find me easy to move on from, but in the meantime I can't ignore the pattern and pretend that each time was a coincidence, as Ken had wanted me to do. I don't know if there is a way to avoid the seemingly inevitable. Each time I let my hopes conquer my superstition, there's a crash, a burn, a deflation, and the temporary loss of the ability to giggle, but I choose the chance of being the girl before the girlfriend over giving up the chance for breaking my streak. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

What kind of prophecy does she think she is facing?

What was the name of the lost boyfriend?

What did the author's ex-boyfriend do to forget about her ?

What is the author explaination of this situation ?

Answer: a self-fulfilling

Answer: Brian

Answer: his ex-girlfriend

Answer: he became someone else's boyfriend, and remained so, for much

Answer: self-fulfilling prophecy.

Summary:
Author's ex-boyfriend meets someone else before she can get over him .
She lost Brian to his ex-girlfriend and her friend Ken to another girl .
Author: Maybe it's a self-fulfilling prophecy .
"I choose the chance of being the girl before the girlfriend," she says .


(The Frisky) -- There's no question that I find Don Draper sexy. If I lived in "Mad Men" land for a day, I would totally make out with him on his Sterling-Cooper purchased desk. In real life? Not so much. At least not anymore.

Don Draper of "Mad Men" is a complicated man underneath a confident exterior, columnist warns.

What makes Don Draper so drool-worthy on screen does not translate in real life. Actually, certain things do translate -- tall, dark and handsome is still tall, dark, and handsome in the real world.

But that aloof, secretive, and calculating personality that seduces his onscreen paramours and the show's viewers? Not easy to live with.

Don Draper is written as an extremely complicated and deeply flawed man who does some awful things, like cheating repeatedly on his wife, Betty, and using information he gleans from her therapist to manipulate her.

But the reasons and motivations behind his repulsive actions are slowly being revealed with each new episode. As with any TV show or movie, we itch to know what possesses someone to do the things he does, and we expect that writers as glorious as the ones behind "Mad Men" will eventually lead us to deep understanding of who Don Draper is and how he will evolve into a better man.

In real life, such life-changing revelations don't always come.

I dated a Don Draper-type for years. There were superficial similarities, like that they both worked in similar industries (just decades apart) and had a knack for always being "on."

Guys like Don Draper are great at their jobs for a multitude of reasons, but one of them is that they present themselves as calm, collected, and unmoved by the opinions and emotions of others.

In a business situation this comes across as professional, confident, and reassuring to the client that the task at hand will be accomplished flawlessly. In a real-life romantic relationship, the refusal or inability to "turn it off" can be frustrating and painful for the other person involved.

At the same time, being one of the few who is able to get past the facade feels powerful. When you're in love, having that power only makes you feel even more special. The Frisky: 10 things women don't understand about men

There are reasons why Draper's wall is so high and impenetrable. Knowing those reasons -- or at least some of them -- makes viewers sympathetic to him. There's an abused boy beneath that tough exterior! A man with secrets so big, he has to hide behind a wall all of the time.

Betty Draper may not know Don's secrets, but they do share a bond he doesn't have with other people. The women he cheats with? They don't know him at all and they don't have the ability or even the interest in seeing something deeper like Betty does.

They're not threatening to his persona, but she is. These are, of course, just excuses for his bad behavior that should never fly in real life.

My ex had his own reasons for presenting a facade, for not letting anyone get too close, for acting like a jerk; some he shared, some I figured out, but all made me want to stay with him. The Frisky: Could you get past hearing "I don't love you anymore?"

I don't know if my Draper-esque ex cheated -- though I suspect he did -- but I do think he broke up with me because I was a threat. I saw something deeper that was fragile but wonderful, and I wanted more of it. It was enough to make me overlook the shallowness of his outward persona.

Similarly, Don Draper gives viewers plenty to love and root for, like his support of Peggy Olson, his disinterest in Pete Campbell's brown-nosing, his delivery of that Kodak pitch in the first season, and the punch he landed on Jimmy Barrett's jaw.

Like Tony Soprano

What does the columnist describe draper as?

Answer: complicated man

Answer: sexy.

Answer: the refusal or inability to "turn it off"

Summary:
Columnist describes Draper of "Mad Men" as fun to watch but not date .
An inability to "turn it off" in romantic moments is frustrating, columnist says .
Women who know the deepness of a Don Draper man are a threat, she writes .
"Mad Men" fan says Draper's misbehavior is covered up by his kind acts .


(The Frisky) -- Valentine's Day can be one of the most depressing days of the year for singles, especially if you just went through a breakup. It can be torture to watch couples exchange stuffed bears, chocolates and kisses. So keep your heart on the mend by avoiding these seven spots couples flock to on Valentine's Day. 1. Movie theaters: Please don't make yourself sit through the latest rom-com. If you must see a flick, go to something unsentimental, like an action film that involves fighting and guns. Though even those often have romantic secondary storylines. 2. Fancy restaurants: A nice dinner is a very typical V-Day date, especially since restaurants capitalize on the day with specials involving free bubbly and a red rose on the table. 3. Landmarks: For some reason, history seems to be tied to romance, and some duos make trips to sites like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon, as if to say, "We'll be together for as long as this thing's been around." 4. Beaches: If you want to soak up some sunshine during the day, go right ahead. But you better have somewhere else to be by sunset, when pairs will start showing up at the shore. 5. Cafés, dessert bars, and chocolate shops: Valentine's Day is often associated with sweet things, so stock up on chocolate the week before -- you don't want to stop anywhere that specializes in chocolate fondue. The Frisky: He gives me a stuffed animal for every special occasion 6. Lingerie stores: Do you really want to buy new bras when the store is decked out in hearts and lace? Wait a week. The Frisky: My 6 break-up lessons are helping 7. Coupled friends' homes: Unless you're house-sitting while your pals are on a romantic getaway, you're not welcome. You will have no right to yell, "Get a room!" when they start necking because, well, you're in their room. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Where do romantic pairs tend to hang out?

Answer: couples exchange stuffed bears, chocolates and kisses.

Answer: Coupled friends' homes:

Answer: Coupled friends' homes:

Summary:
Lonely singers should avoid spots where couples gather on Valentine's Day .
Romantic pairs tend to hang out on beaches and at landmarks .
Many couples can be found cuddling and kissing at restaurant and desert places .
Singles shouldn't go see romantic movie, but choose action flick at theater .


(The Frisky) -- We love men. In fact, we adore them. We like their bodies, their brains, and their strange way of doing things. So it's always a tricky tightrope when you're dealing with a guy to know when to be there for him -- and when to cut and run.

Since we're here to help the ladies, we've created a handy guide that will help you know when your man is just being a dude -- or if you've got a dud on your hands who needs to be dumped.

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1. "I don't feel like having sex." Sure, every man has an off day. But you know what? Most guys want to have sex all the time. And if you're not getting it on, on a regular basis, especially because your guy is claiming that he's just "not feeling it," you can bet that your problems are going to turn out to be bigger than a case of the sex blues. In this particular situation, you may want to get to the root of the problem before this supposed dry spell kills your love, too.

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2. "I can't stop crying." Sure, sure, the new man is a metrosexual who is really in touch with his inner-self, does yoga, and gets waxed more than you do. But there's a limit to how much a woman can tolerate seemingly unmanly behaviors.

Crying because there was a death in the family? Feel free. Prone to weeping at romantic comedies? Not so much. If your man can't control his emotions, and you find yourself feeling like you're the one wearing the pants in the relationship, you should ask yourself if that's what you want -- a guy who'll cry over spilt milk.

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3. "I'm thinking about quitting my job." There are two ways this one can go. He's dissatisfied with his current work situation, he wants to try something else, and this statement is a prelude to telling you all about his big plans for his next career move. That's fine.

On the other hand, if you're living together, and one day he declares he's going to give two-weeks notice today, and so far as you can tell he doesn't have any idea what he'll be doing after that, or how he'll be paying for his part of your shared bills, this isn't someone who has a work issue. This is someone who has an I-want-my-mommy-to-take-care-of-me issue.

4. "I need to tell you something." This one never, ever ends well. If he has to prepare you for what he's going to say next, you best brace yourself for what's coming because it isn't going to be anything good.

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5. "I think we need to take a break." Hey, guess what? This isn't school, and there will be no recess. Relationships are not like a Lego set: created to be dismantled and put back together again.

"Breaks" are what guys who are too weak, scared, or lame suggest because they're too much of a you-know-what to go ahead and break up with you. Make it easy for this guy. Give him a break from the relationship. A permanent one.

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6. "My last girlfriend was crazy." True, your ex probably said the same thing to his new girlfriend, but you might want to keep an eye on the man whose history includes a long string of relationships with women who are totally temperamental, out of their gourds, or recently released from the state mental hospital.

Guys who go out with

What can not be dismantled as a lego set?

Answer: how much a woman can tolerate seemingly unmanly behaviors.

Answer: a Lego set:

Answer: "I need to tell you something."

Answer: "I need to tell you something."

Answer: Relationships

Answer: how much a woman can tolerate seemingly unmanly behaviors.

Answer: a Lego set:

Summary:
There's a limit to how much a woman can tolerate seemingly unmanly behaviors .
"I need to tell you something," never, ever ends well .
Relationships are not like a Lego set: created to be dismantled and put back together again .


(The Frisky) -- When I asked an old friend why she hadn't just broken up with her live-in boyfriend instead of beginning a messy affair with a married neighbor, she snapped, "Don't be stupid -- nobody leaves a relationship without having another one in place." Overlappers refuse to end one relationship until they have another one in progress. Oh, please, I corrected her. Of course they do. People fall out of love or get angry and leave without a safety net all the time. But as I thought back, I realized that for as long as I knew her, she never had. Even when she pretty much hated the one she was with, she stuck it out until she'd lined up his replacement. I could never understand why. My friend is beautiful, successful and very smart; surely being single for a little while wouldn't end her world. Women aren't the only ones guilty of this. I know -- and have unfortunately dated -- plenty of men who careen from one girlfriend directly into another, often with a big fat overlap; connecting the two relationships like a murky Venn diagram. I understand that being single can be annoying and lonely sometimes, but there are plenty of good reasons not to be -- or date! -- an Overlapper. 1. Karma! While overlapping is definitely cheating, the difference is these types go into it with the sole purpose of transitioning into another relationship. But however you word it, Overlappers deceive one or both parties in order to get what they want. When you begin a relationship dishonestly, it usually comes back to bite you in the butt. At the very least, you will never be fully able to trust an Overlapper. Because -- as yet another cliche based in truth goes -- if he does it with you, he'll do it to you. 2. Drama! Breakups are never fun, however splits caused by infidelity are hands down the most explosive. If you're like my friend and her man (who, against all odds, actually left his wife), this means that instead of talking about hearts, flowers, and butterflies -- like other new couples -- you spend your nights plotting how to hide assets and whether or not your overpaid lawyer is enough of a shark. How romantic! 3. The Pressure! Though they may appear independent, people who can't be alone are that way because they need to see themselves reflected in someone else's adoring eyes. But when their mirror (aka, partner) develops a flaw (weight gain, job loss, etc.), their image of themselves reflects that. Being a narcissist, nothing less than perfection is acceptable, so they start looking for the next mirror. Got that, fatty? You'd better stay at the top of your game if you want to hang onto an Overlapper. 4. Not cute! "I met my boyfriend when his puppy peed on my foot" is the perfect example of a meet-cute story. It has all the key elements -- chance, humor, and, best of all, a cuddly puppy! "I met my boyfriend because I was his kids' nanny and then his wife found out, which is how I got this black eye," is definitely not a tale you're going to want to share at parties. TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

What are some people afraid to be alone guilty of doing?

They cheat on both partners while transitioning between what?

Answer: end one relationship until they have another one in progress.

Answer: refuse to end one relationship until they have another one in progress.

Answer: Overlappers deceive one or both parties in order to get

Answer: deceive

Answer: relationship

Answer: Overlapper.

Summary:
Some people afraid to be alone are guilty of dating overlapping .
They cheat on both partners while transitioning between relationships .
Overlappers can't be trusted -- they might do it to you .
Because they're narcissistic, they'll trade you in for better model .


(The Frisky) -- When I try to explain my ardor for HBO's trashy-fabulous soap opera "True Blood" to my dude friends, they either shrug and change the topic, or question whether I've been writing for ladyblogs for too long and am suffering from a form of Stockholm Syndrome. Dudes just don't dig bloodsuckers, since vampires pretty much look like girls. We prefer zombies, because we love chainsaws, flamethrowers, and samurai swords. And because, on some level, we know that besides being vehicles for sperm, our other important, if lesser, genetic imperative is to defend our loved ones from hordes of unthinking, flesh-eating metaphors for current social anxieties. To most guys, vampires are the monster movie equivalent of that sensitive man-sponge in college who plays acoustic guitar in order to seduce chicks. They're what you get when you cross your average Renaissance Fair enthusiast with a mosquito. And what's with their greatest weaknesses being most kinds of Italian food, Sunday school, and the sun, which helps flowers grow? Really? Why women find date-rapey parasites who wear capes compelling must have something to do with deeply primal fears. A vampire is a monster, who looks, acts, and talks like a man. Who is passionate, romantic, and tortured. To surrender to this character is to play with fire. The vampire, in many ways, is the prototype of the bad boy. Women love bad boys - they're exciting, and the chance to change him, to break him like a horse, must be an irresistible challenge. If self-destruction weren't seductive on some superficial level, then no one would ever need rehab. But I am like most guys in that I am a fan of zombie flicks. "28 Days Later" may possibly be my favorite movie ever. I'm also a fan of alien and robot movies, but more often than not, it seems women are more adept at dispatching those. Zombie movies indulge male power-fulfillment fantasies. We enjoy pretending to be dragon-slaying knights or bad-guy-perforating cowboys or Bruce Willis, saving our ex-wife from a skyscraper full of terrorists. The Frisky: Compliments guys take as insults Before any feminist blood vessels burst, let me explain that this fantasy goes hand-in-hand with a male-specific fear that speaks to ancient genetic programming. That for all our swagger, testosterone, and machismo, we cannot protect those we love. The disaster call for women and children to evacuate first isn't chivalry, inasmuch as it's evolutionarily smarts. The women and children will continue the species; the men are disposable. We fear being useless, especially once we have issued forth our baby-making essence. The Frisky: Where all the good guys are In "True Blood," the vampire Bill has decided to change himself, to fight his ferocious nature. He struggles to be a better, um, corpse. He rejects the cold, bloodthirsty vampirism of his peers, and tries to embrace those human virtues he once had: selflessness, mercy, kindness, and justice. In some ways, he's less a vampire and more a superhero. Then he falls in love with someone he is told he shouldn't. And his love for Sookie, a human woman, is a choice he has made, regardless of the scorn heaped upon him by the undead and the living alike. He protects her, despite his fears that he is completely impotent, powerless to defend her from a world that despises them both. And she returns the favor, despite her fears that underneath sweet words and passion is an animal waiting to pounce. A little bit for men and women. The Frisky: Ways men try to impress women I watch "True Blood" because chicks will dig it when I can talk about Eric and Maryann and Action Stackhouse; it's how I "open" a pick-up artist-style "set." My knowledge of "True Blood" will help

What does the writer say about vampires?

Answer: pretty much look like girls.

Answer: The vampire,

Answer: bad boys

Answer: Women

Answer: vampire

Answer: Zombie movies

Summary:
Writer says the vampire, in many ways, is the prototype of the bad boy .
Women love bad boys and the chance to change him, writer says .
Zombie movies indulge male power-fulfillment fantasies, columnist says .
Writer says av ampire is a monster, who looks, acts, and talks like a man .


(The Frisky) -- When Michael Jackson died last summer, it kick-started a year with a disturbing number of celebrity deaths. Which is why we are so extremely overjoyed when a celebrity survives a life-threatening incident. Of course, we are referring to rocker/reality TV star Bret Michaels.

Over the past few months, Bret has had a series of extremely close calls. First, in mid-April, he was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Not two weeks later, he had a brain hemorrhage that left him in the ICU for more than a week. "I'm lucky to be alive," he told People at the time. But as soon as he was on the mend, he had a warning stroke. As doctors examined him to see what was up, they found that he also has a hole in his heart.

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But just days later, Bret was feeling better and managed to make it to the live taping of the season finale of "Celebrity Apprentice." There, he triumphed over Holly Robinson Peete and walked away the show's victor. Seriously, this guy is unbreakable. He's scheduled for surgery for the fall to make sure his lover-boy heart keeps on beating. So what other stars have had near-death experiences? Answer: a lot of them.

Lance Armstrong

What's better than having a brain hemorrhage, a warning stroke, a hole in your heart and still making it to the "Celebrity Apprentice" finale? Defeating testicular cancer and going on to win seven Tour de France titles. When Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer in 1996, it had already spread to his lungs and brain. But with surgery to remove tumors and chemotherapy, he was able to beat the disease and return to cycling in 1999. Live strong, indeed.

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Jason Priestley

Jason Priestley of "Beverly Hills, 90210" has cheated death on repeat. In 1999, while driving drunk, he crashed his Porsche. A few years later, he was involved in a serious boat accident. Then in 2002, he was in a pre-race crash on a Kentucky speedway that left him with a fractured spine and several other injuries. Here's hoping that's the last crash for Brandon Walsh.

Boy George

Boy George was almost killed by, of all things, a disco ball. In 1999, Culture Club was rehearsing at a venue when a 62-pound ball snapped, falling and clipping George on the way down. He suffered minor injuries, but if he was standing a few feet over he could have been in big trouble.

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Kanye West

Kanye West was in a nasty car crash driving home from his recording studio in 2002 at 3 a.m. His rental car was totaled, but he walked away with just a fractured jaw.

Eminem

In 2005, Eminem came close to overdosing after taking an entire handful of methadone pills. His doctor said this was the equivalent of shooting up four bags of heroin. And this was on top of the 20 prescription pills he was taking a day. Last May, Eminem told Vibe he'd been sober for a year. Let's hope it stays that way.

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Dustin Hoffman

Back in the 70s, Dustin Hoffman lived in New York City in an apartment next door to a member of the radical student anti-war group Weather Underground. The group was evidently making bombs in the apartment, and a stick of dynamite was accidentally set off. Luckily, Dustin had stepped out of his apartment at the time.

50 Cent

50 Cent was famously shot nine times in 2000 in Queens, New York, and lived to tell the tale.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix was driving in Los Angeles when the brakes of his car gave out. His car flipped and he collided with another vehicle. Phoenix was helped out of the car by a passerby --

What celebs have had near-death experiences?

Who got into a car accident while driving home in 2002?

What kind of celebrities have had near-death experience?

Answer: 2002

Answer: Jason Priestley

Answer: Bret Michaels.

Answer: Kanye West

Answer: a lot of them.

Summary:
Several male celebs have had near-death experiences including actors, rappers and singers .
Kanye West got in a car accident while driving home from his recording studio in 2002 .
In 1966, Dylan was in a mysterious motorcycle crash near his house in Woodstock .


(The Frisky) -- When you're in a relationship -- and have been for quite some time -- you and your love bird are bound to have gone on all the usual dates many, many times over.

So for Valentine's Day this year, don't visit the restaurant the two of you eat at on a regular night and order the usual.

We gathered romantic spots from around the country, along with some ideas that'll work wherever you live, to help you plan a memorable day (and night) together.

Because even though there's a lot of emphasis on buying presents that are pink, red, and covered in hearts and roses, Valentine's Day is about showing how much you appreciate your honey. Spend the day enjoying each other's company and think of the rest as trimmings.

Phoenix, Arizona

For great food, delicious wine, and a hip, sexy atmosphere, visit Postino Winecafé. But don't eat too much! You'll want to save room for dessert at La Grande Orange Grocery next door. Pop over some for decadent, gourmet goodies before heading back to your love nest.

Postino Winecafé, 3939 East Campbell Ave., 602-852-3939

La Grande Orange Grocery, 4410 N 40th St., 602-840-7777

New Orleans, Louisiana

There are plenty of romantic restaurants in New Orleans. In fact, almost everything in NOLA is swoon-worthy, save for Bourbon Street at 3 a.m. Feelings Cafe is singular for both its ambiance and location.

The piano bar is dimly lit, so it's obviously got that going for it, and it also features delicious food and an intimate courtyard festooned by plants, a fountain, and fairy lights.

But perhaps its most attractive quality is that it's hidden in the Fauberg Marigny, which is a lovely, picturesque neighborhood around the Bywater area that's close enough to walk to from the French Quarter, but far enough away to weed out the tourists.

Feelings Cafe, 2600 Chartres St., 504-945-2222

San Francisco, California

The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers is an under-appreciated romantic gem located in Golden Gate Park. Built in 1879, it's the oldest building in Golden Gate Park, and the grounds around it are perfect for taking a daytime stroll while holding hands, of course.

San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, 415-831-2090

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Chicago, Illinois

The Green Mill, a jazz bar on the north side where Al Capone's henchman hung out in the '20s, is full of history and has sexy lighting, great music, and doesn't really get going until well after dark.

Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N Broadway Ave., 773-878-5552

Providence, Rhode Island

If you're the type who believes food is the ultimate aphrodisiac, Al Forno is the place to get you in the mood. Rhode Islanders and weekenders from all over the Eastern seaboard travel to come sample their how-do-they-do-it grilled pizza, which rivals any of the best pies in New York City.

Because the wait is usually long, here's a trick: Put your name on the wait list and travel across the street for a drink at the Hot Club, which overlooks the water.

Al Forno, 577 S Main St., 401-273-9760

Hot Club, 575 S Water St., 401-861-9007

Reno, Nevada

In a city that built its reputation on quickie divorces and casinos, it's best to avoid tourist destinations and romantic casino packages for a memorable date. Reno has an attraction that's getting harder to find across the country: a drive-in movie theater.

The El Rancho , which opened in 1971, is one of two drive-ins in the state. While you can pick up a tub of popcorn or a hamburger at the concession stand, part of the fun is packing food that you wouldn't be allowed to

What is San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers?

Where in San Francisco is an under-appreciated romantic gem?

Answer: Valentine's Day

Answer: an under-appreciated romantic gem

Answer: Conservatory of Flowers

Summary:
A list of 13 romantic spots and ideas that'll work wherever you live .
San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers is an under-appreciated romantic gem .
Relive the past by stopping by the site of your first date .
Try a new activity that you could continue beyond Valentine's Day .


(The Frisky) -- Who was the first person you called the day your ex dumped you? Or that time you found a weird bump? Or the day you stumbled across that pair of barely worn Christian Louboutins at the Goodwill? You need to break connections with "friends" who only bring negative things into your life. If you're like me, you called a girlfriend. While I love my man, and adore my cats to what some might consider a scary degree, the relationships I have with my girls is on an entirely different plane. They're the funniest, smartest, weirdest (in a good way!) gaggle of broads I've ever met and I feel lucky every day to have them around. It wasn't always this way. I've had to prune my posse (please note that I've also been kicked out of people's lives as well) and have discovered some types to avoid. Drama queen The Drama Queen isn't happy (and "happy" is a relative term here) unless she's freaking out. Little things us boring normals would shrug off -- like a missed bus or parking ticket -- become monumental shriekfests. She doesn't get the flu, she gets oh-my-god-I-think-it's-cancer! Everything is a crisis, and she demands constant handholding and attention. The Frisky: 13 signs she's a loser Luckily, these types can't help but reveal their true colors pretty quickly and unless you're content to be cast as an extra in your own life, you'll banish her from the set. Nurse Betty There is nothing that makes this one as happy as a friend in need. This may seem like a good quality (and often is -- for a while), but once you've got your butt back in gear, she either loses interest or, worse, reminds you constantly of how bad things once were, in the hopes that you'll fall back into feeling like crap so she can "save" you again. The Frisky: Is it evil to talk a friend out of getting married? You have two choices with this type -- either arrange it so you're constantly in crisis, or pretend you're problem-free so she gets bored. Better yet, introduce her to the drama queen --they'll be very happy together. Lady-hater "I don't have female friends because all the women I meet are jealous of me." Yes, someone actually said this to me. Instead, this person prefers her friends to be of the male variety -- ideally hopelessly in love with her and willing to do her bidding. The Frisky: How do grown women make friends? You don't really have to worry about ditching this snot because she doesn't want anything to do with you in the first place. The critic Also known as the frenemy, the critic is chockfull of helpful suggestions. For instance, you know your favorite dress? Well, it makes you look kind of fat. No offense. Speaking of which -- have you gained a little weight? Or are you pregnant? Are you sure? Well, never mind, you can have some of her old "fat" clothes since she has no use for them anymore. Understandably, Critics have a fairly high turnover rate in the friend department. I unfriended one such mean girl only to have her show up at a mutual friend's birthday party -- for the sole purpose of telling the birthday girl exactly what was wrong with her! ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! The leg humper Do you know what it's like to walk into a bar and find one of your closest friends making out with the guy you've had a crush on for an entire year? I do! Granted, that's nowhere near as bad as my friend Melissa who discovered her husband was schtupping her BFF, but still. It stung. And sure, nobody forced Melissa's husband to be a cheating jerk, but a good girlfriend never would've gone there with him. The Frisky: Why you

Answer: you know your favorite dress? Well, it makes you look kind of fat. No offense. Speaking of which -- have you gained a little weight? Or are you pregnant? Are you sure? Well, never mind, you can have some of her old "fat" clothes since she has no use for them anymore.

Summary:
Your friends are people you want with you in good times and bad .
The critic and nurse Betty friends will like you when you feel bad .
The drama queen and lady-hater will never let you have center stage .


(The Frisky) -- You don't have to be Jennifer Aniston to think that the four women who Krazy-Glued a cheater's penis to his stomach were way harsh and beyond psycho. If  your ex's loved ones ask why you broke up, it's OK to admit he cheated on you, writer says. But in our less scrupulous/mature moments, many of us want to punish a particularly nasty ex, especially if he was a cheater. Ladies, let's keep it legal (and Krazy Glue-free), OK? Here are 10 ideas: 1. Email his crappiest crap e-mail to Jezebel.com's Crap E-mail From A Dude and when they publish it, discreetly post the link as your GChat away message. 2. Call up your hottest platonic male friend, grab your digital camera and go do something adorable together. Now it's time to create a Facebook photo album full of pics of you looking smiley. (Bonus points if your ex was slightly paranoid that this guy had a thing for you). The Frisky: Possible to remain friends with an ex? 3. Permanently adopt that comfy sweatshirt he left at your place. Especially if he's the one who caused the breakup, he probably doesn't have the cojones to ask for it back now. 4. Gain that extra 10 lbs that fills you out nicely, like Joan Holloway on "Mad Men"... 5. ...or lose that extra 10 lbs so you can fit into your sexy jeans again. Either way, this also requires a Facebook photo album. The Frisky: How Joan Holloway gives me confidence 6. You might hear from his mom, sisters, or other family members you were close to after the breakup, especially if you dated for a long time. Airing too much of your dirty laundry to them will make you look like a psycho. But if he did cheat on you (and you didn't cheat back), it couldn't hurt to mention how his bad behavior led to the split. The Frisky: 10 rules on way men and women eat Dude sure as hell didn't tell them the truth about why you broke up! And any mom or sister worth her salt will tear your ex a new one when they learn that's why he lost a great girl like you. The Frisky: Continue relationships with an ex's loved ones? 7. Ignore every single text, Tweet, Facebook poke and email from here on out. But kept posting stuff on your social networking sites on the regular. 8. If you're a songwriter or a poet, well, you know what to do. The creep who caused Ani Di Franco's song "Untouchable Face" probably hasn't forgotten what he did. 9. Penning aggressive-aggressive emails (as opposed to passive-aggressive ones) is always therapeutic. The Frisky: Passive aggressive notes Web site 10. Spend a few months feeling down. Indulge in some therapy. Do some fun things single women do. Work extra-hard at your job and get a promotion. Go take a trip or buy some new clothes. Whenever you're ready, go meet a new guy. Fall in love. Have tons of great sex. Laugh a lot. Talk about baby names and where you want your honeymoon to be. The next time you run into your ex, mention all the great things that have happened in your life since you broke up ... or just smile. The Frisky: Happy to be single TM & © 2009 TMV, Inc. | All Rights Reserved

Post what to facebook to get back at your ex?

Answer: bad behavior led to the split.

Answer: Facebook

Answer: mention how

Answer: photo album full of pics of you looking smiley.

Answer: Facebook

Answer: Facebook

Answer: your ex's loved ones ask why

Summary:
If your ex cheated on you, there are legal ways to get even .
Do whatever it takes to look your best, post pix on Facebook with male friend .
If his mom or sister ask about breakup, tell them he cheated on you .
Ignore all social media contact from him. But post a song about his cheating ways .


(This Old House) -- Unless you're a perfect caretaker of your lawn (and, really, who is?), prepare for another round in the turf wars this summer. You'll have to deal with a full frontal assault from the dandelions, of course. And an attack from the crabgrass. But you'll face more stealthy opponents, too: root-chomping grubs and microscopic mildew that turn the grass from green to gray or brown. "If a lawn is neglected, or cared for in a hit-or-miss way, it gets weak," says This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook. "And that's when weeds, insects, or fungal diseases become a major problem." Little wonder that last year almost 50 million homeowners bought products to fight these invaders. But as in most battles, the best defense is a strong offense: doing everything right to cultivate healthy turf. That means giving it up to an inch and a half of water per week; aerating and dethatching annually so water and nutrients can get down to the roots; mowing with a sharp blade to the right height (ask your local garden center what's best where you live); and fertilizing in spring and fall. So promise yourself -- and your turf -- you'll do that this year. In the meantime, here's how to conquer the most common turf problems you're likely to confront this summer. Fungal disease Symptoms: Circular patches of yellow-to-brown grass; or blades with tiny red threads. Culprits: Powdery mildew, brown patch, dollar spot, and fusarium patch; or red thread. These fungal diseases can take hold of stressed turf. Solutions: Though lawns will generally recover from small areas of infection, if a fungus is progressively marching across your yard, look for a fungicide with the active ingredient thiophanate-methyl and follow the directions. For an organic fix, search out a corn-gluten mix that will cure brown patch and weaken most other fungi. Then nurse your lawn back to health by practicing good lawn-care habits: Avoid excessive shade (prune back trees and large shrubs, if necessary) and too many applications of fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides. Carefully monitor your turf's moisture intake and never water in the evening. Weeds Symptoms: Fast-growing and unruly greenery that quickly overtakes surrounding grass. This Old House: What type of grass is right for your yard Culprits: Crabgrass or broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, purslane, henbit, and chickweed that commonly pop up where soil is compacted and grass hasn't completely taken root. To check for compacted soil, stick a screwdriver into the ground; it should slide in easily. Solutions: The first step is to eradicate any foreign invaders. The best approach is to pull them out by hand using a weeder or a hoe. This will also loosen the soil in affected areas. Or use a liquid herbicide in a hand sprayer to spot-treat an infestation. If weeds are too plentiful to be pulled, check your garden center for a "weed-and-feed" blend of granular fertilizer and herbicide that will kill weeds without harming turf types commonly grown in your area, or look for an organic fertilizer with corn gluten. Be sure to follow the directions on the box exactly, as some formulas must be applied during a dry spell or need a 24-hour breather with no foot traffic. From here on out, mow up to twice a week during the beginning of summer when grass grows swiftly, and raise the mower blade an inch during hot or dry periods. Water well as the summer heats up, and your turf should naturally overtake the weeds. In the fall, open up compacted soil poke holes with a pitchfork over a small yard, or rent a power aerator for large yards and overseed the lawn. You may want to follow up with a pre-emergent herbicide next spring. Insects Symptoms: Brown turf that becomes loose enough to lift like a mat. Culprits: White grubs, a catch-all name for root-chomping

What cures brown patches and weakens most fungi?

What does a good corn-gluten mix weaken?

what cures brown patches and weakens fungi?

Answer: brown patch

Answer: a corn-gluten mix

Answer: most other fungi.

Answer: corn-gluten mix

Answer: corn-gluten mix

Answer: Fungal disease

Summary:
A good corn-gluten mix cures brown patches and weakens most fungi .
Brown patches are often indicative of bug problems .
Dog urine is high is nitrogen, so flush affected areas with water .


(Travel + Leisure) -- Alice Temperley likes to camp. Which is why the British fashion designer, who escapes her London workshop to rusticate in a tepee on her Somerset country estate, was recently commissioned by One & Only Le Saint Géran to erect a similar structure on their beach in Mauritius. "It's escapism to the nth degree," says designer Bill Bensley of the tents at the Four Seasons Tented Camp, in Thailand's Golden Triangle. The 17-foot-high tepee is decked out with beads, streaming ribbons, and embroidered patches -- a look Temperley likens to "a jewelry box that glistens in the sand." The resort offers cookouts by the tent -- marshmallows included -- served by a liveried butler. By any definition, this is an indulgent experience, but given its availability in a structure originally designed for the life nomadic, it signals a shift in our perception of both luxury and escapism. Suddenly, a heightened sense of well-being may owe less to four sheltering walls than to a temporary shedding, not just of our inhibitions but also of all the weighty paraphernalia that clutters up a sedentary life. Tents pitched in far-flung locales have always had romantic cachet -- who could forget Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in "Out of Africa." And now there's a trend of textile pleasure domes being adapted for use in diverse settings across the globe. "They provide an experience that you could miss in an ordinary concrete box," says designer Bill Bensley of the tents at the Four Seasons Tented Camp, in Thailand's Golden Triangle. "Guests can hear the sound of elephants munching their way through the jungle. It's escapism to the nth degree." Travel + Leisure: See the world's best tented camps That sentiment is evident in Bensley's design for the resort. He drew inspiration from northern Thailand's hill-tribe villages as well as camps he visited in Botswana, and he filled the 15 tents with metal craftwork from local artisans, along with explorer-themed antiques (an old compass, rifles, primitive fishing tools). Like Temperley, Nairobi-based fashion designer Anna Trzebinski is also dabbling in the world of hotels, opening the tented Lemarti's Camp near Kenya's Laikipia Plateau last year. She stitches tents of locally loomed cotton in the same workshop where she creates beaded tunics and accessories inspired by indigenous Kenyan designs. Set on platforms above a river bend, the camp's tents are furnished with tables and beds built with wood from dhow boats, and decorated with African-themed found objets d'art: crocodile skulls, elephant shoulder blades, beaded walking sticks and clubs. "For me, a tent should be the veil between you and Mother Africa, a sheer shield to protect but not in any way disconnect you from her presence. To be under canvas on a comfortable bed, with the smell of acacia blossoms -- in the old safari days this was intoxicating enough, but now we have the ability to improve on the concept." And that's exactly what Banyan Tree is doing with one of its latest resorts, the Banyan Tree Maldives Madivaru, on a coral atoll in the Maldives. Created by Dharmali Kusumadi, one of the group's head designers, it's by far the most cosseting tented property available today. Only 18 guests at a time can stay on the private island. Rooms come in the form of three conjoined tents facing a cobalt-blue lagoon: a king-size platform bed dominates the air-conditioned sleeping tent, while the bathing pavilion has a claw-foot tub. A butler and massage therapist are at guests' beck and call. Spas, too, are employing tents to help travelers abandon worldly cares. In Arizona's Sonoran Desert, Miraval Tucson Resort & Spa guests take treatments in one of six new tents styled by Irish-born designer Clodagh. "For me, a tent evokes impermanence," she says. "It reflects the impermanence of the spa treatment as well." Set in a botanical garden shaded by paloverde trees, each of the tents has natural cleft-stone flooring,

where was 17-foot high tepee commissioned?

Answer: Thailand's Golden Triangle.

Answer: 17-foot-high

Answer: beach in Mauritius.

Answer: last year.

Answer: One & Only Le Saint Géran

Answer: Lemarti's Camp

Answer: tents

Answer: textile pleasure domes

Summary:
A resort in Mauritius commissioned a 17-foot-high tepee from a fashion designer .
Textile shelters are being adapted for use in diverse settings across the globe .
The tented Lemarti's Camp near Kenya's Laikipia Plateau opened last year .


(Travel + Leisure) -- Boston-based wedding planner Bernadette Smith has helped arrange the same-sex nuptials of nearly 75 Massachusetts couples during her five-year career. But she's never seen quite the surge in business as she has during the past few months. Wedding planners have seen a surge in same-sex couples traveling to New England to tie the knot. Smith's calendar first started filling up when the 1913 law that banned gay marriage for out-of-state couples was lifted in July 2008. But, she says, things became even more hectic when Proposition 8, the California ballot proposal restricting marriage to heterosexual couples, passed in the November elections. Now Smith and other wedding planners have seen a surge in gays and lesbians traveling to New England to tie the knot. And the trend is growing quickly: On April 3, Iowa's Supreme Court found its gay-marriage ban unconstitutional; four days later, the Vermont legislature gave same-sex couples the right to marry; and on April 16, New York Governor David Paterson announced he would introduce a bill to legalize gay marriage. Not surprisingly, hotels and resorts that cater to same-sex weddings are cashing in. One is the Hob Knob in Martha's Vineyard; its Escape & Elope package includes an intimate ceremony, along with Champagne and massages. And all their wedding packages come with access to Tulle, a destination wedding-and-gown specialist that can accommodate not just one picky bride, but two. Another property capitalizing on the ruling is the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut. The inn's "At Last" package includes all the traditional trimmings of a wedding: rehearsal dinner, couples' massage, garden ceremony, and officiant, along with either "his and his" or "hers and hers" stylists. The hotel also offers 25 percent off room rates on the couples' wedding anniversary for life -- much better than a Tupperware set. Travel + Leisure: 50 best romantic getaways For those who want to plan their own ceremony, Bernadette Smith suggests the Exchange Conference Center overlooking Boston Harbor -- it's where she'll be saying "I do" this summer. Anne P. Worcester, chief marketing officer of Market New Haven, a tourism and commerce organization for the New Haven area, suggests a few other same-sex-friendly Connecticut venues. There's the New Haven Lawn Club, known for its large ballroom and experience in gay weddings; the Union League Café ("arguably the best restaurant in all of New Haven," she says); and the quintessentially romantic carousel at Lighthouse Point. For those traveling long distances, the Omni New Haven Hotel can accommodate out-of-town couples and their guests with in-house ballrooms, restaurants and a spa. Travel + Leisure: Great romantic weekend getaways Anne Stanback, executive director of Love Makes a Family (a pro-gay marriage organization in New Haven, Connecticut) has become an expert on same-sex wedding planning since she arranged her own nuptials without the help of bridal magazines. "We may not see the lesbian version of Modern Bride until a few more states legalize marriage for same-sex couples, but I have no doubt we eventually will," she says. Now gay advocates in Iowa would like to create the same kind of wedding infrastructure available in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. Greg Nooney, who started one of the state's few gay-wedding Web sites, began receiving inquiries just days after the decision was finalized on April 3. Nooney admits that building a roster of gay-friendly vendors won't happen overnight. "It is taking some people a little time to get their bearings," he says. One place that wasted no time in promoting itself as gay-friendly is the Sioux City Holiday Inn. Manager Larry Jenson says the property has held commitment ceremonies in the past and looks forward to hosting same-sex couples in the future. Despite the fast pace of change across America, however, wedding experts say all the feedback has been positive. "People may

What would gay advocates in Iowa like to do?

What happened when California's Proposition 8 passed?

What did cause surge in business for wedding planners?

Answer: to create the same kind of wedding infrastructure available in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Answer: same-sex couples

Answer: the same kind of wedding infrastructure available in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Answer: create the same kind of wedding infrastructure available in Connecticut,

Answer: surge in gays and lesbians traveling to New England to tie the knot.

Answer: same-sex couples traveling to New England to tie the knot.

Answer: California

Answer: New England

Answer: same-sex couples traveling to New England to tie the knot.

Summary:
Surge in business for wedding planners where same-sex marriage is legal .
When California's Proposition 8 passed, more gay couples came to Massachusetts .
Gay advocates in Iowa would like to create the same kind of wedding infrastructure .


(Travel + Leisure) -- China can seem as impenetrable as it is imposing. Consider the numbers: it's the world's most populous nation (1.3 billion), where more than 100 cities have populations over a million. Fifty-six ethnic groups are spread across 22 wildly distinct provinces and five autonomous regions, in a landmass slightly larger than the U.S. The Tiananmen Gate at the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing Its history seems limitless and its traditions just as deep. But here and now, change is the only real constant -- and it is accelerating at a dizzying pace. (One thousand new cars hit the streets of Beijing every day.) How do you begin to fathom a country of such extremes? The futuristic cities glittering above timeworn villages; the great rivers and vast empty deserts; the radical new architecture juxtaposed with millennia-old monuments; the ceaseless push-and-pull between Confucianism, Communism, and commerce. Where do you even begin? Have no fear. Start here with Travel + Leisure's suggestions for where to go and what to see. Beijing: 2--3 days China's political, historical and cultural capital demands at least three days -- for the familiar landmarks of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and also for Beijing's 21st-century architecture, such as the "Bird's Nest" Olympic National Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron and the glass-and-titanium dome that is the National Grand Theater. China's contemporary art scene finds its nexus in the galleries and cafés of the Dashanzi Art District, home to the new Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. Travel+Leisure.com: Tips for flying to China Beijing's atmospheric hutong, or traditional alleyways, are fast disappearing; explore the bustling ones off Nanluoguxiang, near the 13th-century Drum and Bell towers. Then check out the Legation Quarter, a high-end restaurant, entertainment and cultural development set within the former American Embassy compound. And save a morning to stroll the manicured, 660-acre grounds of the Temple of Heaven, site of the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the 15th-century apogee of Chinese ritual architecture. Travel+Leisure.com: Chinese taxi trips The Great Wall Numerous stretches of the Great Wall are easily accessible from Beijing (ask your hotel to arrange a car or bus tour). But avoid the tourist trap of Badaling and head to the slightly less trammeled Mutianyu section, a 90-minute drive northeast of the Forbidden City. Early morning is best; try Asia 1 on 1 for day trips. Travel+Leisure.com: Where to stay in China Shanghai: 2--3 days First stop: the riverfront promenade known as the Bund, with its Art Deco, Neoclassical, and Beaux-Arts façades, bars and shops, and views of the space-age towers of Pudong. In People's Park you'll find the Shanghai Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Weekdays are the best time to wander among the pine trees and ponds of the 16th-century Yuyuan Gardens. Xintiandi was the birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party; now this restored two-block district is defined by upscale shops and restaurants. The leafy, rustic French Concession is the favored destination for cutting-edge fashion and designs for the home. Shanghai's latest secret? Lane 248, a gritty, narrow street now inhabited by artsy cafés and intimate boutiques, hidden behind Taikang Road. Travel+Leisure.com: China shopping tips and strategies Guilin: 2 days (Two hours by air from Shanghai.) With its sheer limestone peaks jutting up from the Li River, Guilin is straight out of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, and remains one of China's most breathtaking sights. Take in the view from Solitary Beauty Peak and marvel at the formations of the Reed Flute Cave. Spring and fall are best; avoid the heat of July and the crowds of the holiday seasons. Xi'an: 2 days (Two hours by air from Beijing.) China's ancestral capital is renowned for its "terra-cotta army," created during the Qin dynasty (221--207 B.C.): thousands of life-size clay warriors stand in

What can you take in from Solitary Beauty Peak?

Where in Beijing are the alleyways located?

What kind of alleywayys can you explore off Nanluoguxiang in Beijing?

Where is the Solitary Beauty Peak located?

Where in Guilin should one take in the view?

Which section of the Great Wall are people being encouraged to visit?

Answer: Mutianyu section,

Answer: the view

Answer: off Nanluoguxiang, near the 13th-century Drum and Bell towers.

Answer: atmospheric hutong, or traditional alleyways,

Answer: Guilin

Answer: from Solitary Beauty Peak

Answer: Solitary Beauty Peak

Answer: The Great Wall

Answer: Mutianyu

Summary:
Explore the traditional alleyways off Nanluoguxiang in Beijing .
From Beijing, visit the slightly less trammeled Mutianyu section of the Great Wall .
Take in the view from Solitary Beauty Peak in Guilin .


(Travel + Leisure) -- From Fitzrovia to Covent Garden, London is embracing its charming -- and sometimes cheeky -- past. Every era, from the roaring '20s to the swinging '60s, is represented, with new takes on old-fashioned locales: chip and sweets shops, hidden Prohibition-style hangouts, even ballrooms. The shelves at Hope and Greenwood, in Covent Garden, are filled with glass jars brimming with British sweets. But rather than flaunt themselves as fusty Churchillian relics, these new spots are drawing stylish Bright Young Things who can't get enough of the city's collective nostalgia trip. They're celebrating inspired design, tastes and bygone lifestyles with zeal. At the forefront of London's retro renaissance: sugar. Behind a shiny strawberry-red façade in Covent Garden, British confectionary is experiencing a resurgence at Hope and Greenwood, a sweet 1950s-style candy store named after its sugar-loving owners. Glass jars and cut-crystal candy dishes that grandma would love brim with classic and all-but-disappeared "pick and mix" English candies -- Minty Humbugs, Raspberry Ruffles and Traffic Light Lollies. It's the kind of place that will even inspire adults on a strict diet to indulge in sweets (and sweet thoughts) of yesteryear. Travel + Leisure: See London's best retro spots Over in the trendy, up-and-coming neighborhood of Marble Arch, Cocomaya is attracting followers with its jewel-like handcrafted chocolates tantalizingly displayed under glass domes on marble counter tops and antique mirrors. And places such as East End's Treacle are delighting locals and visitors alike with a return to the no-nonsense proper British teahouse, serving up comforting classics like Jammy Dodgers and buttercream cupcakes. Bourne & Hollingsworth (named after the department store that once existed on its site) is decidedly more adult; the quirky basement bar in Fitzrovia is tricked out to feel like grandma's -- complete with signature floral wallpaper and consciously stodgy décor. Still, zany accents, like a fireplace full of discarded Champagne bottles, reflect the underground boîte's joie de vivre spirit of excess. On Prohibition themed nights, vintage gin cocktails arrive hidden in teapots, as Billie Holliday sets the mood. Geales, in Notting Hill, is the ideal spot to start -- or end -- an evening on the town, London-style. Now a shadow of its former 1939 no-frills self, the newly renovated fish and chips shop is giving a lighter gourmet twist to an old London standby; golden, delicately fried cod and haddock is the restaurant's main event, supported by more elegant briny treats like raw oysters and classic shrimp cocktail. No matter where you go in London town these days, vintage style is everywhere. What's old is new -- again! -- in England's retro-mad city. Planning a beach getaway? Don't miss Travel + Leisure's guide to Affordable Beach Resorts.

who is at the forefront of London's retro renaissance?

What is at the forefront of London's retro renaissance?

who is a return to the British teahouse?

What is th ename of the sweet 1950s-style candy store

Answer: no-nonsense proper British

Answer: retro renaissance:

Answer: sugar.

Answer: sugar.

Answer: East End's Treacle

Answer: Hope and Greenwood,

Answer: Hope and Greenwood,

Summary:
Sugar is at the forefront of London's retro renaissance .
Hope and Greenwood is a sweet 1950s-style candy store .
East End's Treacle is a return to the no-nonsense proper British teahouse .


(Travel + Leisure) -- It's no surprise: Americans are super-opinionated, especially about the cities they live in and the places they visit. In fact, their feelings are so strong that in the 2008 America's Favorite Cities survey -- conducted by travelandleisure.com and CNN Headline News -- Americans voted more than 600,000 times on 45 characteristics of 25 cities, weighing in on things like shopping, food, culture and nightlife, as well as cleanliness and affordability. New Orleans earned No. 1 rankings for fine dining and live music. In 2007, there was a lot of cheering from cities that clinched the No. 1 spots, like Chicago, Illinois, (dining) and Austin, Texas, (best singles scene). But we also saw a lot of upsets -- upset people, that is. After all, someone had to come in last. Unfortunately for the proud people of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, America voted them dead last in the category of attractive people. And Los Angeles, California, took the prize for least friendly city, a category that most expected New York City to sweep. Notable changes For the winners in each category, 2008 brought some surprises. New Orleans, Louisiana, elbowed New York aside as the best city for fine dining. Las Vegas, Nevada, took the No. 1 spot for best singles scene as former No. 1 Austin tumbled to No. 5. In the cleanliness category, Portland, Oregon, swept Minneapolis, Minnesota, out of first place this year. See all the America's Favorite Cities results -- and play the new AFC game, What's YOUR Fave? But other cities maintained their dominant positions. New York held its No. 1 ranking as the country's best spot for people-watching, while Charleston, South Carolina, was once again voted America's friendliest city. Find your vacation There's plenty more to explore beyond the rankings. If you're in the market for a great destination, the Vacation Finder at travelandleisure.com can help you find the perfect city for your interests. Austin and New Orleans, for example, are rollicking destinations for live music, cheap ethnic food and vintage shopping. If something more high-minded is your style, check out Washington D.C. (No. 1 for museums) or New York (No. 1 for classical music). Travelers seeking the sophistication of cities paired with the exhilaration of the outdoors should head to Honolulu, Hawaii, (No. 1 for active/adventure vacations), Portland (No. 1 for public parks and access to outdoors), or Denver, Colorado, (No. 1 for athletic/active citizens). If you're planning a trip with the kids, Orlando, Florida, is still on top, but alternatives like San Diego, California, and Washington D.C. still rate high with travelers. Seekers of romantic getaways should try their luck in Honolulu, Charleston or San Francisco, California, which hold their own particular charms. And what happened at the bottom of the scale? Did Philadelphia rally voters and push themselves up the attractiveness scale? Did Angelenos take the criticism about being the least-friendly city to heart and begin using a kinder, gentler salute to fellow drivers on the freeway? Read on to find out. Here are the  top three cities » in some of the categories, as voted by visitors. Visit travelandleisure.com for the full results, best and worst, for each city and category, as ranked by residents and by visitors. 'What's YOUR Fave?' You've voted on your favorite cities' characteristics, but what's America's Favorite City overall? Tell us! Vote for America's best in our new bracket game, What's YOUR Fave? Go to travelandleisure.com/afc and each week for the next four weeks, we'll pit cities head-to-head. Your vote decides whether they move on to the next round or get eliminated!

Answer: New Orleans

Summary:
New Orleans elbowed New York aside as the best city for fine dining .
Portland, Oregon, swept Minneapolis out of first place for cleanliness .
New York held its No. 1 ranking as the country's best spot for people-watching .