@bluewine: Maybe it's where I live, but it seems that way to me too. A lot of people really get off on persecution complex, though, and I often wonder how much that right there plays into current Republicanism. They attack people who never attacked them, take any advance of someone who doesn't think/look like them as…

@dummyfakeroller: And if her mother's reaction to that news is "oh a lie detector test on a radio show", I somehow doubt Mom's going to be getting any more confidences, ever.

I recall reading an interview with Matt Damon some years back where he DOES actually purposely date non-actresses, "normal women" as he put it, to have someone who's not caught up in the Hollywood bubble. I see no problem with that; while a lot of celebrities date other celebrities for someone who can relate/won't…

@HeatherNumber1: I think all addicts end up trading one thing for another; it's just a measure of the impact the addictions each have on your life. When I quit smoking, I paid for it by being forever bound to Altoids and lip gloss. Sure I'm addicted to them, but it's a hell of a lot better than cigarettes.

Some critics say it's the most authentic of the Bachelor-type shows because the contestants are actually there to find love (the reasoning being, heavier women obviously can't find love under normal circumstances, and they're too unattractive to be trying to launch a reality TV career).

The best and most realistic teen girl comic is online: [www.pennyandaggie.com]

@Eriu: There is a great supply of strong role models in YA and even some slightly younger (early chapter book) lit; I am going to guess that this is at least in part due to the fact that girls in that age really ARE craving strong females in their entertainment.

The one I wanted was something like a Bedazzler for hair—it actually clipped little sequins and jewels into your hair. I actually recall seeing this one around not too long ago, past 5 years or so, and shudder slightly at what my younger self was thinking.