Are you personal friends with any of these artists? Who are you or I to determine what is "authentic" to an artist? What does that even mean? Why does it even matter? I can enjoy a show without worrying whether the artist keeps up their lifestyle 24-7. Frankly, I think it's somewhat unreasonable for an artist to be…

Personally, I love it when stars (especially musicians) get all adventurous and creative with hair, wigs, makeup and costumes. I love the fantasy aspect. If I wanted a boring star, I'd listen to Gwyneth Paltrow read books on tape. (She's so bland.) Minaj is a beautiful woman either way, but I love the OTT- ness of her…

Where IS Strong Belwas and his goddamned tiny vests???

I was a freshman in college when the Columbine shooting occurred. I never attended school with the worry that I might have to protect myself or my classmates from a shooter. I am now a middle school teacher, and every year we do extensive lock-down drills. We have shelter in place drills and active shooter drills. I…

It boils down to states rights, which is an issue that the US has been dealing with since our founding as a nation. At its worst, it was used by the southern states to justify seceding from the union over slavery. Basically, the 10th amendment of the Constitution has a supremacy clause, which says that federal law…

But where were the leggings??? How else can I feel self-righteous indignation and clutch my pearls over the moral decline of high school girls?

I am not terribly sure if this email is coming at the behest of the parent community or admin. We are on spring break this week, so I haven't had a chance to talk about this with my colleagues. The parent community is very wealthy and very involved, so I wouldn't be surprised if they had some say in the matter. The…

As previously answered by others, most 8th graders start 8th at 13 and turn 14 during the year, depending on their birthday. The age of starting sex ed depends on the district and the state. Since I am new to this middle school and district, I have no idea if they got any sex ed in 4th or 5th grade. I do remember…

Nope. The responder's grammar was fine.

At my school, the 8th graders start sex ed in science class next week. It's my first year at this school, and I teach ELA and social studies, so I have no idea what the curricula looks like.. However, the whole staff got a terse email from one of the science teachers letting us know that if we hear any students…

We do.

:(

This is what I really want to know. The pedicures are THE BEST.

Not necessarily. Some retailers are moving to in-store fulfillment. The online orders are sent to the stores, and then an employee gathers the merch from the floor and processes it for shipment. It's a great inventory management tool. Gap, Inc. uses it at Gap, Banana and Old Navy.

yuck. Now I see what you mean.

Just read the book Feed.

What's wrong with Bay Area fans? -signed a Chicagoan living in the Bay Area for 15 years

I probably went to high school with that guy! Seriously, I went to LHS in the '90's and there was always a kid in shorts in the middle of winter.

Damn you, Lauren Conrad! Now I want pastel hair. Ok, 9.5 weeks till school gets out and then 8 weeks of summer. I think I can make this work. Pastel hair, I'm coming for you in mid-June.

List of things that distract the 8th grade boys in my class:
1. That piece of tape stuck to the desk
2. House of the Scorpion. Put the book away and pay attention! We are discussing gerunds.
3. The seagulls attacking that bag of hot Cheetos after recess.
4. Me, mispronouncing a word.
5. Another student, asking a derailing…