Possible dates are all around

The hardest part about finding a guy (or girl) is knowing where to look. Out of the guys I've dated, I haven't met any of them the same way.

There was Curly (names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent), who I met through a high school friend.

Then there was Senior, who I met working a table at a student activities fair in college.

Then there was Flyer, who I met at a club.

My current boyfriend and I technically first met at a fratnerity event but didn't really connect until we met again months later at a coffee house.

Some would say that certain locales produce a certain kind of person. No woman will ever find a good man if she picks him up in a bar, they say. Well, the guy I met in the club was one of the sweetest guys ever, and, in fact, didn't even like going out that much. A friend had dragged him there. He would say, "I don't want to take my girl out to a bar." And I would just respond: "We met in a bar!"

My advice is to not rule anywhere out. Just go to all the places you normally go, and sooner or later, you're bound to meet someone you like and shares the same interests as you. There are just as many good guys at Barnes & Noble as at Red Eye Tavern. And if you're more into reading than drinking, they're bound to be more your type anyway.

Do you have any advice for finding a date? Where is the best/worst place to met a significant other?

Three Little Words

There are scary moments in every person's life — leaving home for the first time, getting into your first car wreck....and the first time you want to tell the person you are in a relationship with that you are....hiccup...in love with them.

It might be the most terrifying part of a relationship, beating out even those times when you find out your significant other isn't perfect and that the honeymoon phase doesn't last forever. Timing, who says it first, where to say it, how to say it — the build-up is insane for a sentence that will be over in less than five seconds.

And yet, it becomes so hard because it is the defining part of the relationship — the reaction of the other person can determine the tone of the relationship for a very long time. If they say nothing....and continue to say nothing for, say, a year....than it adds an insecurity to the relationship. If they say it back right away, but look less than enthused and quickly draw into a shell — that's a pretty good sign that person didn't want to say it in the first place.

I said it first to my BF, and he waited until the next morning to reciprocate, which I thought was good. Had he said it first, I probably wouldn't have stolen his moment of saying it either. I would have given it the night and said it back to him the next day. All in all, I think it was perfect for us.

How about you? What was saying "I love you" like? Did it go smoothly, or did it turn into a disaster?

Dating someone high maintenance

Your girlfriend is hot. And she knows it.

She primps and preens, demands ungodly amounts of attention AND expects you to be at her beck and call. An alarm should be going off by now: you're dating one high maintenance chick.

High maintenance women never seem to have problems getting dates. Their good looks and incessant demand for attention from guys lets them know that she's into them. However, these women can have trouble keeping men, once they find out how demanding she is.

I consider myself medium maintenance. I have high maintenance and low maintenance tendencies, so I probably fall just about in the middle of the spectrum. Of course, when I asked my guy, he said, "No comment." We all know what that means.

Perhaps the worst kind of high maintenance woman is the kind that thinks she's low maintenance. At the slightest suggestion that she's being too demanding, she pouts and exclaims, "I am NOT high maintenance!" These women can't control their demands because they don't even know they're making them. That's where the danger comes in.

Men can be high maintenance, too, although you hardly ever hear about it. You know, those pretty boys who spend more time in the gym than with you and then expect you to have dinner waiting when they get home.

So, if you're dating someone high maintenance, how do you deal with it? Or do you drop him or her at the slightest inkling of being high maintenance? Are you high maintenance?

ring...Ring...RING

I have added a new rule to my relationship do's and don't list — I will not call my significant other 26 times in one day.

As of right now, you are (hopefully) thinking that number sounds fairly crazy. Who, in their right mind, would really want to call someone that many times — in one day?

Well, I have found that person. And she comes in the form of one of my friends' ex-girlfriends.

Which brings me up to this weekend and the new rule. My guy friend's phone started ringing on Thanksgiving and didn't seem to stop all weekend. The holiday was going to be a relaxing day with me, my BF, my guy friend and one of the boys' decades-old friend (who also happens to be a girl). We had a blast — and even managed to ignore the phone. One that rang 13 time late Thanksgiving afternoon.

It started up again on Friday — and continued 26 times. Not once did my guy friend answer the phone but it didn't deter his quasi-ex from continuing to hit re-dial. I have to repeat this — 26 times. To top it off, when he finally did talk to her, she accused him of wanting to sleep with the other girl who was with us. Ridiculous.

I can't fathom calling anyone 26 times in one day. Have you ever been that person? Or on the receiving end of that craziness? I don't call anyone more than two times in a day if they haven't answered the first time — and even then, it better be pretty important. What rules do you have regarding phone etiquette?

Finding the perfect gift

At 4:30 this morning I put on my heaviest jacket, took a deep breath and set out for the stores. Granted, I was going out as part of an assignment for the paper, but checking out other shoppers' carts got me thinking hard about Christmas presents. And with today marking the first official day of holiday shopping (at least in my book), it's really time to get going.

Picking out a gift for a significant other sometimes can be painstaking, and a lot of times what you get depends on how long you've been in a relationship. Getting your partner a gold watch after dating for only two weeks is a little overboard, but giving only a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies doesn't even begin to cut it after one year.

And so, to help you with your shopping this year, here's my unofficial guide to gift giving, according to how long you've been together. Oh, and I'm a big fan of always giving a card, so no matter how long you've been together, make sure to pick one up (or make it yourself).

Less than a month: Less than $15. Nothing too expensive or flashy. You're still in the beginning of the relationship, and you have no idea where this is going to go. You also don't want to give the impression that you're getting attached too fast. Homemade treats that you decorate yourself are nice, as are mixed CDs or framed picture of the two of you together.

One to three months: $15 to $25. Still nothing super expensive, but head out to the store. Candles are good, as are lotions, soaps or aftershave. Buy a smell that you like, then whenever you smell it you can think of the other person.

Three to six months: $25 to $45. Getting a little bit more serious. Up the price range, and think of something your sweetie will really like. Some CDs, a sweater, DVDs, a nice hat and scarf are good picks.

Six months to nine months: $45 to $75. You guys really like each other by now, right? One option is to get something that you can do together. Buy tickets to the Georgia Aquarium, go out for a nice meal at the Downtown Grill or take your honey out to a show at The Grand Opera House or The Fox.

Nine months to a year: $75 to $100. Nice jewelry -- I'm talking some real stones or silver or gold here guys (it's OK if it's small). Cashmere. Those in long distance relationships could purchase a video camera for the computer, so you can see each other next time you talk.

A year plus: $100+. You're on your own here. Any combinations of the previous categories would work, as would pricier electronics, like cameras or iPods.

Remember, these are only guidelines. You can spend more or less depending on your own relationship. Just make sure to keep your significant other's interests in mind when you do it.
For another detailed guide to gift giving by relationship stage, check out couplescompany.com. (Scroll down past the first question.)

Post any other ideas you may have here, or let me know if you think I'm completely off mark.

Happy Thanksgiving

Forgive me all...in the rush of Holiday excitement, I forgot to blog yesterday. I'm sure everyone was disappointed! : ) Just kidding!

I did want to post today and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I know both Rose and I are thankful for all of you - those who religiously read this blog. It has been a fun couple of months, and hopefully the upcoming months will be just as fun.

As of right now, my boyfriend and I are relaxing until we start the cooking - well, he'll cook. I'll play the role of supportive girlfriend who opens the cans and gets him drinks. Think earlier blog when it was discovered my cooking skills need a little tweaking. It'll will be the two of us, as well as a pair of friends. Overall, it should be a good day.

I always like the holidays because it's the time you really realize how much you appreciate the people in your life. My family, of course, who, through good and bad, I know will always be there for me.

But the relationships that really amaze me are the friends and significant others. It's those folks who deserve the thanks. They aren't blood, and really have no obligation to be supportive and yet from what I have found, they do it, and do it willingly. Not being from here, I have met amazing people in Macon who made the transition easy to where this does feel like home. And my friends from college are still around today, and I love each and every one dearly.

So today, just in case, remember the friends and significant others and family who on other days, you might take a little bit for granted. I know I am! : )

Meet the parents

So your significant other has passed the friend test and agreed to go home with you on the holidays. Now what?

My boyfriend has already met my parents, my sister and our dog, so things should be pretty smooth sailing for him this Thanksgiving. My test, however, does not come until Christmas. And while I am excited, I am somewhat nervous. My boyfriend has a big family (two brothers and one sister). When I think about what's going to happen, all I can think of is the movie The Family Stone. In that movie, a man takes his girlfriend to meet his whole family at Christmas, and she is received with a less than warm reception. I don't expect his family to dislike me, but in all reality, you never know what's going to happen.

I actually have never met a boyfriend's parents before. Anyone I dated in college I never dated long enough to where we did the whole parents thing. So I'm a newbie. Anyone have any tips on what to do or how to deal? I'm thinking of having my boyfriend watch The Family Stone with me, so he sees where I'm coming from.

Is meeting the parents as big a deal as everyone makes it out to be, or has the issue been blown out of proportion? Then, what do you do if not everything goes smoothly from the get-go?

Home for the Holidays?

This will be the third Holiday season my boyfriend and I have been together. Our first Thanksgiving, we cooked at his apartment with a bunch of friends, while last year he went home (out of state) while I spent the day with friends. This year, we'll be cooking together, just the two of us, in what promises to be a quiet day.

Needless to say, Thanksgiving has always been an easy day to decide. And for the first two years, Christmas has been as well — mainly because he has been overseas with the Military for Christmas and New Years. Not exactly ideal, but thankfully that yearly trip for him is not taking place this year.

But that leaves the ultimate dilemna of what to do about the holiday. Christmas has always been very big in my family — for as long as I remember, we have had the same tradition year after year. It involves lots of family and traveling, and it just overall a very good day. One this year, I want to share with my boyfriend.

We're working out the plans, and it does seem that he will be able to brave the cold of the North to come home with me, but I'm sure it's not that easy in some relationships. What happens when both of you are close to your families and both want to see them for the holidays? How do you decide where to go without upsetting anyone or getting upset?

How will you and your significant other handle the holidays? Or how has it worked in the past? I know I would never hear the end of it from my family if I missed Christmas, have you chosen the BF or husband's family and not been fully forgiven?

The friend test

At some point in every relationship, you have to introduce your new sweetie to some of the people you care about the most: your friends.

Meeting the friends is a big deal. You always want your partner's friends to like you, and you want your friends to like him (or her). You also want your date to like your friends. The whole ordeal can be as stressful as meeting the parents. And much like meeting the parents, this can go over smoothly, without a hitch when everyone meshes well. It also can be recipe for disaster if personalities clash.

Many people are familiar with phrases such as "Bros before h***" and "Chicks before d****." But it can reach a point when you have to stand up to your friends. Sure, you should carefully consider what they say (because they're the ones who know you best and only want the best for you), but ultimately, you have to decide for yourself whether their arguments are valid. And it is possible that they're not.

How important is the "friend test" in when you're dating someone? If your friends didn't like your significant other, would it be a deal breaker? What would you do?

Would you date OJ?

Last night, as our usual group met for trivia, a television behind us was airing the Larry King Show. The topic was the newest emergence of an OJ Simpson revelation how he would have killed his ex-wife had he done it.

At which point one of the "team members" asked, "Do you think OJ dates?"

The sad thing is, he probably does. And you have to wonder — who are these women? OJ is a known and admitted wife-beater who lives under a black cloud of suspicion that he killed the ex-wife he spent years beating.

I don't know if I am being choosy, but I don't think I would really try to land OJ. He doesn't seem like much of a catch. I could never date anyone who famously, or even anonymously, beat another woman. I'm all for giving second chances, but there has got to be a line drawn at some point.

A few years back, OJ made the news when his girlfriend at the time accused him of battery — long story short, he isn't going to change. And neither will most men, unless they commit to intense therapy.

How would you handle the situation if you found out your current boyfriend or a guy you were about to date had a previous history of being abusive? Would you take your chances, or would you exit the realtionship immediately?

It's not just locker room talk anymore

Apparently I was clueless in high school and left WAY out of the loop.

Earlier this week, The Telegraph published a story about two high school students who apparently were caught doing the deed in a high school locker room. Now, I realize I was sheltered as a child, but I can't believe people actually have sex on high school premises. It seems like there would be entirely too many ways to get caught, with the teachers, administrators and coaches, not to mention other students, all over the place.

Did you or anyone you know have sex on school property? If so, how did you avoid getting caught?

Are you kidding?

Those three words in the headline were uttered by me this past Friday night.

And the preceeding conversation looked something like this:

Me: "Yeah, I'm on myspace."
Other person: "Oh that's cool. I had a girl break up with me on myspace."
Me: "Are you kidding?"

All I could think of was "What happened to the nice way of initiating a break-up?"

It's bad that there are so many ways to break-up with someone — E-Mail, Facebook, Myspace, through a friend,etc — because it makes it easier to do it in the worst fashion possible. Electronic devices have helped erase manners completely.

The pros of breaking up with someone over the internet are that the hurtful and upset emotions that are inevitable in a relationship are not quite as bad. The person can write back a hurtful e-mail, but the choice of deleting it before opening it is always an option.

But while electronic e-mails are easier, it's not the most desired route. It shows a complete and utter lack of respect for that other person, and if you want to be remembered in any sort of positive light, at least have the guts to tell them to their face. Not hide behind the internet and fade away completely. All relationships deserve closure — not a one-sentence e-mail.

Or is it the way to go? Would you rather break-up with someone or have someone break-up with you over e-mail or myspace, or is face-to-face the way to go?

Passing the buck

One thing (out of many, I know) that can make a date go sour: money.

I always hate deciding who pays when I go on a date. There's always that awkward moment when the check is placed in front of you. You eye it. Your date eyes it. Then, eventually one of you picks it up.

Some people think the man should always pay. But that's not fair, especially when one or both people are in low-paying jobs or still in college. When two people just start dating, I think that whoever does the asking should pay. The other person should offer to split it (hey, it's nice to be asked), but the offer should not be accepted. If you liked the person enough to ask him or her out on a date, you should pick up the tab -- it's your treat.

But then what do you do when you get past just dating and actually become a couple? Then you do stuff together all time, and it's not necessarily someone asking the other one to do something. I think couples should take turns paying. If the man pays for dinner one night, the woman pays for it the next. Or she pays for the movie that same night. Since my boyfriend and I live two hours apart we have this deal where whoever does the driving doesn't have to pay. If I go up there, he pays, and if he comes down here I pay. It's sort of like a bonus for spending the gas money. The system's not perfect, but for the most part, it works.

Now, I'm not gonna lie. I like be treated, and it makes me feel special. Sometimes I roll my eyes when I have to pay. But the fact of the matter is that you have to be fair, and it's not fair if one person is paying for everything all of the time.

What do you think? Who should pay for dates in a relationship?

What not to do ...

I thought this was so good, it called for a bonus weekend post :)

By now I'm sure all of you heard that Britney and K-Fed are getting a divorce. A video has emerged on YouTube that claims to show K-Fed, now known by some as Fed-Ex, getting the news via text message. C'mon Brit, that's low!

Frame or no frame?

I'm big on pictures — taking them, displaying them and being in them. When I go to someone's house and a photo album is around, it's usually one of the things I always look at (but ask first, of course!). Photos are so much fun, even if I don't know anyone in them.

Until, that is, it comes to the great dreaded picture or pictures of the ex-girlfriends in your boyfriend's possession. Even if it was nothing, there is still that uncomfortable feeling when you see them. You know that the person you are dating had relationships before you — I, for one, just don't want to be reminded of them.

Luckily, my boyfriend's pictures of his ex's are limited to a file on his computer and a few old photos that just sit in an album. They are not displayed, nor would you ever know they are there unless you sought them out. And I am perfectly fine with that — I certainly don't expect him to throw them away or delete the files just because I am less-than-thrilled that they exist.

But I know I would have an extremely hard time if he had those pictures in frames and they were all around his house. That's something I haven't had to deal with, but I know more than a couple of my friends who have boyfriend's that still have pictures of the ex fairly prominently in the house. Personally, regardless of what the relationship was and what it turned into, keeping up those pictures sends the wrong message — especially if you are trying to date again. No one wants to constantly be hit with picture after picture of the ex when you are trying to establish a relationship.

What do you think? is it appropriate to keep up pictures of the ex? Or should they be taken down when the romantic relationship ends?

What's your type?

Despite my utter dislike for any and all sports, every single guy I'm interested in seems to be enamored with them. My boyfriend plays on four or five intramural sports teams, and every other guy I've dated or wanted to date was involved with sports in some way. I guess you could say that's my type.

And along with that sporty characteristic are other traits: clean-cut, short hair, no tattoos or strange piercings, has a penchant for sarcasm. I like the all-American. The good guy. Nice guys don't finish last in my book. I stay away from bad boys. Mostly because I want to yell at them to straighten up and do what their mothers told them. Players need not apply.

There are all other "types" of guys. There's the artsy type, with long hair and a soulful look in his eye. There's the fratty type, with a popped collar, Crocs and short shorts. And there's the bad boy who parties too hard and drives that mad car or bike.

Of course, guys aren't the only ones who can be fit into categories. Women fit into them just as well.

What's your "type"? Do you always same for the same one, or do you mix it up?

What every woman should know:

I have gotten a certain forward from my friends on multiple occasions, and I always read it as though I have never read it before. I like it so much that at one point I hung a copy of it on my bedroom wall, and another in my bathroom wall. I just received it again today in a forward, and thought I would share it with all of you.

And just in case, no, I didn't write it! : )

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.
2. Enough money within your control to move out and rent a place on your own, even if you never want or need to.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you're content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
9. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
10. A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
11. Eight matching plates, wineglasses with stems and a recipe for a meal that will make your guests feel honored.
12. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
13. A feeling of control over your destiny.
14. A skin care regime, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after thirty, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break-up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss a man in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen next.
6. How to have a good time at a party you'd never choose to attend.
7. How to ask for what you want in a way that make it most likely you'll get it.
8. That you can't change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
9. That you childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.
10. What you would and wouldn't do for love or more.
11. How to live alone, even if you don't like it.
12. Who you can trust, who you can't, and why you shouldn't take it personally.
13. Where to go - be it your best friend's kitchen table or a charming inn hidden in the woods - when your soul needs soothing.
14. What you can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

If you made a list on what every woman should know, or every woman should have, what would be on it?

Addressing the elephant in the room (or maybe it's a donkey)

In the spirit of Election Day, I thought we could take up somewhat of a political topic. Bloggers: Would you be able to date someone who does not share the same political ideology as you?

For the most part, my answer would be, yes. In general, I do not like discussing politics because it seems like a waste of time. You will never change what I believe, and I will never change what you believe, so there's no point getting upset and heated talking about it. So if I were dating someone with a different political ideology than myself, we'd still get along just fine as long as we didn't discuss it (or if we respected each other's ideas when we did take up the topic).

I know my boyfriend voted differently than I did in the last presidential election. But that's not very important to me because I know that when it comes down to everyday values, we share the same. Plus, I can always think of my vote as canceling out his.

Now, seeing as how I don't enjoy discussing politics, I would not be able to date someone who was extremely liberal or conservative if they insisted on pushing their ideas on me. Let me believe what I believe and stay out of it.

Now, share what you think below!

What Kind of Girlfriend Are You?

Taking online quizzes, or quizzes in magazines for that matter, are a guilty pleasure for most people (aka girls) I know. I mean, come on, aren't these quizzes supposed to hold the key as to what kind of kisser we are or what our flirting style is? (There's some sarcasm thrown in there!). There are numerous Web sites out there that offer personality tests, relationship tests, mental health tests, etc....and when you like the answer it gives you, the quizzes are the most knowledgable things ever! : )

It's always fun to fill out one of these quizzes and see what your answers equal up to. Not to mention, these quizzes are a great way to pass the time....or waste time, whatever you like to think. My friends and I would take these quizzes on a night we were bored, and my best friend in the whole world and I once spent more than two hours on the phone taking these quizzes together.

So it can be bonding material as well! : )

I was in a bored mood last night, and googled "Relationship Quizzes." I found this Web site, where there were a TON of different quizzes on all sorts of relationships. And P.S., www.ivillage.com is a great site for women with all sorts of topics ranging from dating to fitness to career advice.

Anyway, after glancing through the list of quizzes, I chose to take the one titled, "What Kind of Girlfriend are You?" After 10 questions, this was the result that came up:

The Straight Shooter
You've got a good mix of sass and sensitivity. Sure, sometimes he annoys you. But you do your best to finesse it with a sense of humor and the knowledge that, hey, he's only human. You know a good relationship is like 1940s movie banter -- it's all about the back and forth. Balance is key to you, and you excel at being a peacemaker and solving problems with a firm, but loving, hand. (And, let's face it -- a hand with a nice manicure.)

Hahaha....I like it, it seems like a fitting description — so I'll definitely have to share that result with the BF! : )

But why don't you go on there, take a quiz, and share with us the result you got...Let us know if you agreed with the assessment, or if you disagreed and took it over and over again until you got the result you wanted!

Can you flirt?

Some people are good at it. I am not.

Flirting was never my thing. Aside from a few smiles or waves, I never got it down. I think it was the risk of being rejected that stopped me from being overly flirtatious. I never let anyone know how I felt about him unless I knew how he felt about me. Other women, they know how to strut their stuff, show just enough leg and be just enough mysterious to always leave with a guy's number (or him with hers). If I try to strut, it's quite possible I, being my clumsy self, will fall. I'm even embarassed to wear a shirt with the word "Flirt" emblazoned on the front.

Some people who have no flirting skills resort to using pick-up lines. This can be disastrous.

Case in point:
Man: Did it hurt?
Woman: What?
Man: When you fell from heaven.

Cheesy, yes. A good conversation starter, maybe. Or maybe you get a drink thrown in your face. It's a toss up.

Another example of bad flirting:
My friend was in a bar once when this guy came up to her and insisted he knew her from high school. She knew she didn't know him, and set the record straight. Next weekend, same guy, same pick up line. My friend had to inform him that she'd already had this conversation with him and sent him packing. If you're going to flirt, make sure you remember who you do it with.

What do you think about flirting and pick up lines? Hear any bad lines? Have any bad stories? If you're good at it, share your secrets with the rest of us!

The Relationship Soundtrack

When my brother and sister-in-law first started dating, he would make mixed tapes for her each month filled with his favorite songs, or songs he knew she liked, or songs that just reminded him of her. This was pre-CD burning, but that makes it just a bit more special because he took the time to pick out the songs, space them appropriately on the tape and carefully write the order on the tape sleeve.

It's such a sweet and thoughtful idea, and my sister-in-law still has them to this day, even though cassettes are a bit outdated. One of my ex-boyfriends made me amixed tape, and I liked getting it, because in a way, it is a good way to see how the person feels or felt about you at that time. (Luckily, there were no, "I hate myself for loving you" type songs on there!)

Music is always the easiest way to express how you are feeling, and I know that I have songs that fit certain moods — especially when it comes to a relationship. So, in no particular order, or mood, here would be a sample of songs I would put on a tape (or CD!) : )

1. Wild Horses — Only by the Rolling Stones, anything else makes me want to seizure.
2. As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson. From Casablanca, one of the greatest movies ever.
3. If I Should Fall Behind — Bruce Springsteen. If and when I get married, this song will be at the top of my list for wedding dance songs.
4. The Ship Song — Concrete Blonde....I listened to this song on repeat for two hours — no joke. It's that good.
5. Power of Two — Indigo Girls...I know, guys go running in the opposite direction of anything Indigo Girls, or other girl-oriented bands, but this is a song all should embrace!
6. She's got a way — Billy Joel..Note to guys — this song will make any girl melt.
7. In Your Eyes — Peter Gabriel. An obvious class. And if you want to do it right, hold a boom box over your head while playing it for your special someone.
8. Lay Lady Lay — Bob Dylan. Love him or hate him, he can write. And if you want to hear a good break-up song listen to Susan Tedeschi's cover of his "Don't think Twice." It's fantastic.
9. I love you — Sarah McLachlan. Let's be honest, with the exception of her first two albums, everything she has done is good.
10. Here with me — Dido...I loved this song the first time I heard it, and it never gets old for me.
11. Crazy Love — Van Morrison...His whole Moondance record is one to listen to over and over again.
12. Faithfully — Journey...I love Journey — I'm not ashamed. And this is by far my favorite song by them.
13. Songbird — Eva Cassidy...This is a cover of a Fleetwood Mac song, but Eva Cassidy has one of the prettiest voices ever.
14. Feels like Home — Chantal Kreviazuk or Bonnie Raitt...any version of this song doesn't change how sweet it is.
15. Making Memories of Us — Keith Urban...this is SUCH a guilty pleasure song, but I had to put it on here...even if it is country! (Which I'll admit, some songs are growing on me!)

I know there are so many good songs out there, so let us know — if you were making a relationship soundtrack, which songs would make the cut? Or even, what songs help cope with a break-up?

Love bites

At some point in your life you'll have one. You'll get a little too into your make-out session and before you know it, you -- or your date -- has been branded.

You may not even notice the small purple marks at first, but it's almost guaranteed that if you don't, someone else will. Call them love bites or love nibbles, but what it all comes down to is the same harsh sounding word: hickies.

For some, it is a word that draws a feeling of mild embarassment. For others, a sense of pride. One of my friends gives hickies to guys on purpose. To her, it's like a calling card. Take one look at the guy walking out of her room and you can tell what she's been up to. Other people try to avoid giving (and getting!) hickies at all costs, or at least try to cover them up. As a freshman in college, one of my male friends tried to convince the rest of us that his hickies were an allergic reaction to this necklace he was wearing. We didn't believe him.

Women have it easier than men when it comes to covering up hickies. We have makeup, scarves, bulky necklaces. Yes, we can have a hickey without ever revealing it. But men, their only options are turtlenecks (which look odd in the summer) or a strategically placed collared shirt or maybe a hemp necklace.

I think that if you have a hickey, you should at least make an attempt to cover it up. If not, you just allow everyone who sees you to know what a good time you had last night. And it can lead to a number of strange looks and personal questions from people you don't even know. I'd rather just avoid all that anyway.

What do you think? Should people try to cover up hickies if they have them? What are some tips for hiding the black and blue marks?