Teen Mom 2 cast

Teen Mom 2 - MTV Shows

Come on, I can't possibly be the only one excited about this news.

MTV has unveiled the cast for the second season of "Teen Mom," which premieres 10 p.m. Jan. 11.

Kailyn from Pennsylvania: In her "16 and Pregnant" episode, she had a shaky relationship with her own family and boyfriend but bonded with her boyfriend's family. She met her father for the first time and the meeting wasn't the bonding experience she expected.

Jenelle from North Carolina: She's a surfer who fought with her mom on her "16 and Pregnant" episode. The trailer attached to this article suggests she'll have a custody battle on "Teen Mom."

Chelsea from South Dakota: She has a great relationship with her dad, but her boyfriend seems like a jerk. In her "16 and Pregnant" episode, Chelsea's boyfriend sent her a text message calling their baby a mistake.

Leah from West Virginia: Her episode is possibly the most dramatic "16 and Pregnant" EVER. Leah got pregnant with twins after only knowing her boyfriend for a month. It was a rebound relationship and she still had feelings for her ex-boyfriend during the "16 and Pregnant" episode. That was unfortunate, since the father of her twins seemed like a genuinely nice guy. At the end of the show, she ended up alone.

Outgifting

Do you worry about upstaging your partner while exchanging gifts?

The thought rarely crosses my mind, aside from obviously awkward scenarios like giving a digital camera and receiving a candy bar.

In a recent post on TresSugar, an expert warns that women should never outgift men. "It steals their thunder," she says.

Is her advice a little sexist? Maybe.

Is it true? Let me know in the comments section.

Too old for hunch punch?

Dawn wrote an excellent blog post about avoiding a frat party vibe while planning a holiday party.

I haven't thrown a real-world holiday party yet, but I hope to eventually reach Dawn's level of awesomeness. Perhaps it'll coincide with the day I finally tear down my Periodic Table of Mixology poster. Kidding.

Anyway, here's my favorite part of Dawn's post:

I like to use sparkling wine instead of hard alcohol to make punch. There is a difference between hooch juice and Christmas punch, after all.

Who doesn't have a good "hooch juice" memory? I remember watching someone mix it up in a bathtub. Ah, college.

As much as I'd like to consider it college phenomenon, plenty of bars still boast "hooch juice" or "hunch punch" as a nightly special.

Which makes me ask this simple question: Are you ever too old to sip questionably brewed alcoholic punch?

Monday power anthem

I love this song. In addition to an awesome beat, Robyn accurately mirrors my dancing abilities. I'm only half kidding.

Seize the day!

What's going on this weekend?

Hey party people! Lots of holiday stuff happening this weekend. If you're interested, click here for some highlights.

Here's your nightlife lineup. Remember that Safety Cab operates through Dec. 31. Partiers in Columbus, Phenix City and Fort Benning can get a free ride home. Call 706-660-6069.

FRIDAY

VFW Post 5228: DJ music, 9 p.m. free. 334-297-6493.

Elks Lodge 111: The Wayne Petty Band, 8 p.m. free. 706-569-6720.

Del Ranch: David McBride and Razin' Kane, 9:30 p.m. $5. 334-297-9177.

VFW Post 665: The Last Rodeo Band, 9 p.m. $5. 706-687-6656. (also on Saturday)

Spicoli’s: DJ music, 8 p.m. free. 706-221-5252.

Fountain City Coffee: Ty Izumi, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

Belloo’s: Claiborne & Friends, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584. (also on Saturday)

Maple Sports Bar: Lazy Swamis, 8 p.m. free. 706-322-6888.

Shanty Shack: Ratchit, 7-11 p.m. free. 706-507-3418.

SoHo Bar & Grill: 2 Finger Jester, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

The Uptown Vault: DJ Kamakazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. free. 706-442-8370. (also on Saturday)

Players: Karaoke by BudAbby’s, 9 p.m. free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

The Loft: Peggy Jenkins and the Bizness, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

SATURDAY

VFW Post 5228: Donnie Thomas and band, 9 p.m. $5. 334-297-6493.

Del Ranch: David McBride and Razin' Kane, 9:30 p.m. $5. 334-297-9177.

Fountain City Coffee: Rob & Mike, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

The Loft: Connor Christian and Southern Gothic, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Frequency 54, Tetanus, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

Spicoli’s: Jury, $5 cover starts at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

Warm Springs Sports Pub: Wicked Dixie, 9:30 p.m. $5. 706-987-2314.

Elks Lodge 111: Karaoke, 8 p.m. free. 706-569-6720.

Players: Players Club Bowling, 9 p.m.-midnight. $3 per game, no cover. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

You had me at "woof"

You've reached a relationship milestone when the gifts you buy for your boyfriend out-value the ones you buy for your dog.

I think I'm almost there.

Go ahead and laugh. But I've heard many women admit the money they spend on their pets outweighs what they spend on a significant other during the holidays.

I scoured the Internet for statistical proof, but I only found a recent survey indicating that "women (56 percent) are somewhat more likely than men (49 percent) to buy their animals a gift."

Can you blame us? The current gift-giving climate suggests you're a failure if you can't find the elusive "perfect gift."

Amid seasonal stresses, there's something reassuring about knowing a $3.99 rawhide bone will earn you unconditional love.

Since you asked, my dog Bailey is featured in the photo above.

Click here to see my co-worker Dawn's dogs in their holiday gear. She also lists this weekend's holiday parties for pets.

"I hooked up with a co-worker."

For many of you, this is the worst possible line uttered in an office party's aftermath.

It carries even greater ramifications than "I wore something inappropriate" or "I drank too much."

(Although now that I think about it, those lines kind of go hand-in-hand with hooking up.)

Consult almost any office holiday party survival guide and you'll find advice about initiating a romantic relationship with a co-worker. The wisdom generally boils down to three words: DON'T DO IT.

I usually stay away from blogging about office relationships because, well, I'm in one. But amid the season's emphasis on social office gatherings, I have to weigh in.

Obviously, avoid drunken hookups with someone you wouldn't be attracted to if alcohol wasn't in the equation. Also, stay away from hooking up with someone who supervises you in an office setting.

That said, hanging out with a co-worker socially can often reveal that the guy known for stinking up the lunchroom's microwave is actually kind of cool. Before you know it, you're ready to defy conventional wisdom and dip your pen in company ink. 'Tis the season, right?

Well, kind of. Before you take the plunge, consider these tips -- courtesy of someone who's sustained an office romance for almost four years. (That's me.)

People will talk. This is one of the most intimidating things about entering an office romance, and for good reason. The chatter doesn't stop after you settle into your relationship. Your co-workers will likely analyze all your interactions, so be prepared for questions like, "You didn't go to lunch together today. Are you fighting?"

There's more pressure. Ever since the early stages of my relationship, I've been mindful of the way a breakup would affect our office as whole. There are basic post-breakup factors to consider, like a reluctance to invite us to the same parties or have us work on projects together.

You will talk about work. You know that whole idea of going home and forgetting about the office? It rarely happens when you're dating a co-worker.

On the day you're most intent on abandoning office concerns, it's likely your partner will want to discuss his/her professional future. It's easy to have these discussions when you're dating somebody in a different profession. But when you share a workplace, the after-hours discussions can be uniquely draining.

Office relationships can be awesome. Despite the cautionary tales, dating a co-worker doesn't have to be a disaster. People rarely note the advantages, like having a sounding board who understands your professional concerns or having a guaranteed lunch date every day of the year.

But there are challenges, which is why relationship experts often direct your match-making efforts elsewhere.

Nonetheless, if I had obeyed all the relationship manuals four years ago, I'd be nowhere near as happy as I am today.