A friend of mine at the University of North Carolina happily describes herself as “a committed online stalker.” “I crave information,” she explains. “And sometimes that’s not a good thing.” Ah, technology – creating new armchair detectives with every Google or Facebook search.

You’ve probably noticed the growing range and influence of Web-based methods for gathering information on your crushes. Or your exes. Or their exes. From the moment you first meet a ‘possibility’ (be it a date, future significant other or someone you just want to see naked), you inevitably type their name into Facebook, where you can find out literally everything about him or her ‘ what team he bats for, whether she wants ‘random play,’ whether she still speaks to her exes, his binge-drink of choice and what classes you’ll have to pretend to be in to talk to her. (more…)

Back in Ye Olde Tinseltown days, most top-earning stars were stellar actors, singers and dancers, with none of the skills being a crutch to support a lack of talent.

Celebrities were, for the most part, blue-collar workers for the public, earning their fame by signing on to numerous films at once, rigorously training and studying various fields in the name of entertainment.

Fast forward 30-odd years and Flavor of Love’s New York is famous for being a outspoken bitch slathered in pancake makeup; Paris Hilton puts out an perfume ’cause, uh, why not; Sanjaya Malakar is praised for his “great spirit” while butchering the simplest of songs; Dane Cook sells out Stadiums with arm-farts and aimless crowd whooping.

The worst of it? These hacks not only suck at their day jobs: they find it necessary to plague other fields of entertainment by becoming entrepreneurs. (more…)

Featherbeds, futons, laundry bags, white boards – you don’t need any of them.

They don’t matter; they’re inconsequential in you enjoying time away from your ‘rents house and avoiding embarrassing, CollegeHumor-worthy moments. A spiffy laundry bag from your mom isn’t going to help you through college, let alone getting laid…but these following necessities may.

Your sisters/cousins/friends t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.

While it’s oh-so-cute to have a girl you bagged the night before decked out in your XL Boston Bruins jersey, know that her outlook may slightly differ than yours. The “Walk of Shame” for her could be either walking home in last night’s outfit or floating around campus in your oversized, off-putting wears – maybe even both. Fix that quick.

It’s not a bad idea to keep a universally-accepted (read: one color, no logo) t-shirt or sweatshirt handy; just say it’s your sisters or cousins or roommates’ sisters’ shirt – whatever makes sense. Of course, only bust out the default “morning after” outfit if she’s worthy. If she’s not worthy (read: she didn’t even give you a HJ) let her walk the plank all by her lonesome. (more…)

I’ll admit it—I’m a voyeur. Not the stand in your bushes, peer in your window type, but the naturally curious type. I position myself awkwardly in coffee-shop couches to “overhearâ€? and interesting conversation. I read magazines over strangers’ shoulders on the subway. I even look in shopper’s carts at the supermarket and evaluate them based on their picks (my cart usually says “I will not apologize for my chocolate addiction and my consuming preoccupation with my dog.â€?)My voyeuristic tendencies spill over into my online life as well, as evidenced by the blog reading I have bookmarked. Take a peek at some of my favorite strangers—borderline internet-stalking is more fun when shared! (more…)