New Year's Eve parties

OK, folks. Here's a tentative copy of the New Year's Eve party roundup that will appear in this week's To Do.

I'm still waiting to hear from a few bars, so the list is about 90 percent complete. I'll keep this post as the main blog item this week and update as necessary.

UPDATE: I've added La Margarita, Belloo's, The Uptown Vault and Locos in Phenix City to the list.

Unless otherwise noted, the events are open to guests 21 and older.

La Margarita, 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd.: Latin night with champagne, food specials and more. Action starts at 10 p.m. and there's no cover. 706-221-7111.

Belloo's, 900 Front Avenue: Claiborne & Friends perform beginning at 9:30 p.m. Expect light hors d’oeuvres and champagne at midnight. Cover charge is $5. 706-494-1584.

The Uptown Vault, 1026 Broadway: DJ Kamakazi entertains. Cover is $10 and action starts at 8 p.m. 706-442-8370.

Locos Grill & Pub, 3546 Highway 280/431, Phenix City: Party starts 8 p.m., Strokin’ Dixie performs 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Cost is $50/couple, $25/individual. That incudes five alcoholic beverages, buffet and free transportation home if necessary. Open to all ages, must be 21 to drink. Reservations recommended. 334-297-2546.

AMF Peach Lanes, 1636 Bradley Park Drive: The bowling alley offers a family-oriented party and a party geared toward adults.

From 6 to 9 p.m., groups of up to six people pay $85 for a lane. The price includes pizza, a pitcher of soda and an early evening countdown.

From 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., groups of up to six people pay $109 for a lane. Reserve your lane early and you’ll get champagne. You can bowl as much as you’d like within the time frame. Call 706-324-4431 for reservations. The bowling alley is open to all ages, but you must be 21 to drink.

Mix Ultra Lounge, 1107 Broadway: Las Vegas-style video countdown by DJ Roonie G, party favors, champagne, free breakfast buffet, and a balloon drop with $3,000 in cash and prizes. Cover is $20 advance and tickets at the door start at $20 (subject to increase). Action starts at 9 p.m. Call 706-221-2112 for information about advance tickets and VIP tables.

Oxygen, 1040 Broadway: Party favors, champagne toast. Tickets start at $10, doors open at 8 p.m. 706-596-8397.

Flip Flops, 1111 Broadway: Best-dressed male wins $150, best-dressed female wins $250. Balloon drop with over $1,000 in cash and prizes. Cover is $5 until 11 p.m., then will possibly increase.

The Loft: 1032 Broadway: Entertainment by Peggy Jenkins starts at 9 p.m. Free breakfast buffet, champagne toast, $1,000 prize giveaway. Cover is $10. 706-596-8141.

Scruffy Murphy’s, 1037 Broadway: Entertainment by Boneheadz, champagne toast. Cover is $6 and action starts at 8 p.m. 706-322-3460.

Elks Lodge 111, 5768 Miller Court: Steak dinner, champagne, party favors and entertainment by The Wayne Petty Band. Party starts at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets required. Spaces filled on a first come, first serve basis. Members pay $25/person for the dinner and dance, non-members pay $30/person. Guests are welcome with tickets. 706-569-6720.

Shanty Shack, 4475 Warm Springs Road: DJ JB, drink specials, party favors, champagne. No cover. Party starts at 8 p.m. 706-507-3418.

Spices Lounge, 1239 Broadway: Cover is $40 in advance (through Thursday) and $45 at the door. It includes champagne and entertainment. Action starts at 8 p.m. 706-568-3533.

Pop-A-Top, 210 32nd Street: Food, entertainment and no cover. Party starts at 9 p.m. 706-323-9292.

SoHo Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road: Party favors, champagne and traditional New Year’s foods like black-eyed peas and collard greens. The M&M Band entertains. Cover is $10, action starts at 9 p.m. 706-568-3316.

Spicoli’s, 5762 Milgen Road: Champagne, party favors, buffet and entertainment by Mirror. Doors open at 9 p.m. and cover is $10. 706-221-5252.

Mickey’s Pub, 4105 Buena Vista Road: Karaoke, drink specials, no cover. Party starts at 7 p.m. 706-569-6777.

Players, 1500 54th Street: Karaoke, billiards and bowling. No cover, open to guests 18 and older. 706-653-0106.

Del Ranch, 4920 Lee Road 430 (Smiths Station): Action starts at 9:30 p.m and cover is $25/couple, $15/person. That includes breakfast, champagne, party favors, a balloon drop and entertainment by David McBride & Razin’ Kane. 334-297-9177.

Maple Sports Bar, 8328 Veterans Parkway: Lazy Swamis perform beginning at 7:30 p.m. No cover. Venue is 21-and-older beginning at 11 p.m. 706-322-6888.

Eighty-Five, located below Belloo’s on Front Avenue: Classic Addict performs. Cover is $12. Show starts at 10 p.m. Champagne, drink specials and a signed guitar and cymbal giveaway. 706-324-1500.

Ben’s Chophouse, 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd.: Expect $5 drink specials like a Midori Melon Ball Drop, Blue Party Punch and much more. No cover. Restaurant is open to all ages, must be 21 to drink. 706-256-0466.

Monday power anthem

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. There's lots to look forward to this week: champagne, awkward kisses and confetti. Hopefully I'll have a long list of party options soon.

In the meantime, bust a move to this old-school jam from the movie "Snow Day."

Merry Christmas!

Hey party people! Have a great holiday and don't forget to monitor the fat man's progress with NORAD Santa Tracker 2010.

Thanks for reading and commenting this year. In exchange, I'll extend a level of holiday cheer usually confined to boy band albums.

100 People I Hate on Facebook

Listing the 10 people you hate on Facebook is soooo yesterday.

Check out one guy's list of the 100 people he hates on Facebook.

My favorite? "People regularly tag you in their photo albums when it's clearly a good photo of them and a bad photo of you."

Ready for New Year's Eve?

I've received a few New Year's Eve party updates and hope to post a list early next week.

In the meantime, Jezebel directs us to a recent study in which 33 percent of women said they're more likely to have a one-night stand on New Year's Eve than any other night.

Weigh in: Are one-night stands any more socially acceptable if they happen on New Year's Eve? That is, does the date alone give you a free pass for romantic missteps?

Note: As Jezebel points out, the aforementioned study was conducted by an "intimacy products manufacturer." For what that's worth.

Online dating detectives

The New York Times has an interesting piece about the rise of online dating detectives -- people who promise to perform background checks on the potential romantic matches you meet online.

An excerpt from the article:

The focus on background screenings comes as some 20 million Americans are using dating sites, more than double the number five years ago, according to the market research firm IBISWorld.

While they are finding casual dates and even love, they are also encountering married people pretending to be single or, worse, sexual predators and convicted felons.

I think now it's only reasonable to assume your date will Google you prior to your first face-to-face meeting. It's no longer regarded as "stalking," but rather a necessary precaution in the dating world.

But is it necessary to hire a paid detective?

Weigh in: When it comes to background checks, how far do you go prior to a first date?

Dancing hockey players

I promise this video of hockey players dancing to "All I Want for Christmas Is You" will make your day.

It's perhaps the brightest moment of my holiday season so far.

(Thanks, Monkey See!)

Monday power anthem

I can't stop analyzing Sunday's "Survivor Nicaragua" season finale. Go ahead and judge.

Read my "Survivor" finale recap here, or just bust a move to some Destiny's Child.

Seize the day!

What's going on this weekend?

Hey party people! A few weekend highlights:

Saturday, there's a tacky sweater party at Flip Flops (1111 Broadway). Action starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $5. The guest with the ugliest sweater will win a $100 bar tab. You'll party with Santa and his elves. Learn more here.

Also on Saturday, Santa will be at Oxygen (1040 Broadway). Santa's sexiest helper wins $100. You can also win $100 for giving Santa the best lap dance.

Here are some other options.

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.

Bavarian House: Mike & Pete, 7 p.m. free. 706-257-1775.

Spicoli’s: Crossing Levi, 10 p.m. $5 cover starts at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

Del Ranch: David McBride and Razin’ Kane, 9:30 p.m. $5. 334-297-9177. (also on Saturday)

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

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

Shanty Shack: Daniel Lee Band, 7-11 p.m. free. 706-507-3418.

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

SoHo Bar & Grill: Smith and Lewis Band, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

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

The Uptown Vault: SamRoc & GRD, 10 p.m. $5. 706-442-8370.

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

SATURDAY

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

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

Ossahatchee Oyster Bar and Grill: LuvLizards, 7:30 p.m. free. 706-582-2629.

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

Spicoli’s: Mindblender, 10 p.m. $5 cover starts at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

The Loft: Tim Brantley with Kristian, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

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

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

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

Pajama jeans

You love pajamas. You love jeans. What could possibly go wrong?

Yes, this is a real product.

Like, whatever

"Whatever" is the most annoying word or phrase in the English language, according to results of a recent poll.

Other annoying contenders include "like" and "you know what I mean."

The article got me thinking: Is there a word or phrase you hate so much that you'd drop a date because he or she says it?

At the risk of losing some faithful blog fans, I'll admit I still can't entirely stomach y'all.

(Not "you all," as in readers, but as in the term "y'all.")

Repeated use really bothers me, and I appreciated when Donald Trump recently criticized an "Apprentice" finalist for relying on the word.

I'm a y'all hater. Guilty as charged.

Share your annoying words and phrases in the comments section.

Married on Facebook

Do married people need their own guidelines for Facebook etiquette?

One website thinks so. TheGloss posted the do's and don'ts of being married on Facebook.

I agree with a major "don't" in the aforementioned list: women who think marriage gives them the right to overuse the term "husband" on Facebook.

Refer these post-wedding status updates as examples:

"Got home and found flowers. I love my husband!"

"Going shopping with my husband!"

"Watching TV with the hubby!"

Weigh in: Does a wedding ring make you more likely to become an "annoying" Facebook user?

(Reporter Katie McCarthy got married and retained her Facebook friends. Read her wedding blog here.)

Ugly Christmas sweaters

This week's nightlife column examines the appeal of ugly Christmas sweater parties.

Flip Flops in downtown Columbus hosts a tacky sweater party at 9 p.m. Saturday. Cover is $5.

If you've worn an especially ugly sweater this season, e-mail a photo to ssorich@ledger-enquirer.com and I'll post your tackiness on my blog.

(Photo credit: Anne Marie Blackman/MyUglyChristmasSweater.com)

What's going on tonight?

Hey Thursday partiers! After a six-month absence from the local music scene, Classic Addict performs tonight at Oxygen. Music starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $5. Get more details here.

Some other nightlife highlights:

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

The Uptown Vault: Starlight Karaoke, 5 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Del Ranch: Henry Conley open mike, 9:30 p.m. free. 334-297-9177.

Spicoli’s: Stereomonster, 10 p.m. free. 706-221-5252.

Players: Girls’ Night Out with free pool on hourly tables, 6:30 p.m. until close. Free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

Mormon California Gurls spoof

Watch and laugh.

Thanks, Jezebel!

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.

What's going on tonight?

UPDATE: I just learned through Facebook that Quincy from "Tough Love" on VH1 will apparently be at Flip Flops tonight.

Hey party people! It's $1 daiquiri night at Flip Flops. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Here are some other Thursday nightlife highlights:

Scruffy Murphy's: Whisky Bent, 10:30 p.m. free. 706-322-3460.

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

The Uptown Vault: Starlight Karaoke, 5 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Spicoli’s: Stereomonster, 10 p.m. free. 706-221-5252.

Players: Girls’ Night Out with free pool on hourly tables, 6:30 p.m. until close. Free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

SoHo Bar & Grill: The Suex Effect, 10 p.m. free. 706-568-3316.

Wedding diet myth?

Want to know the most-repeated thought that went through my mind while training for a half marathon?

"Man, I really wish I was getting married soon."

My logic was that I didn't know when I'd have another goal that would force me to get in shape.

I've always loved exercising, but I've also always been terrified of the grueling workouts that celebrities take on prior to getting married.

Exhibit A? This outline of Kate Middleton's "wedding dress workout."

I always imagined that I, too, would endure grueling workouts and awful diets in the weeks before getting married.

But are pre-wedding workouts confined to gossip magazine headlines?

Once I entered the real world -- and watched real people get married -- not too many of my female friends endured a crazy fitness regimen before tying the knot. Or maybe they did, but just didn't want to publicly admit it.

Weigh in: Are wedding dress workouts real?

(As always, you can find more wedding tips on Katie's blog.)

Facebook numbers in status

I stayed silent during the "cartoon characters can save the world" movement. But Facebook's newest trend -- The Number Game -- is just too much to handle.

You've probably seen friends fill their statuses with numbers, followed by cryptic statements like, "63: You're a great drinking buddy."

Here's an official explanation for the game, courtesy of its Facebook page:

Ask your friends via a status or on chat to send you their favorite number if they want feedback on what you think about them

Post a status about that particular person, starting it with the number they sent you (It can be a compliment, something you like or dislike about them, or something you always wanted to tell them.

Annoying? Slightly.

But amid cryptic bra colors and suggestive purse placements, this seems like the first Facebook trend annoying enough to make people voice their displeasure.

One of my Facebook friends recently wrote this status update: "For you people coming up with numbers and writing something about that person. BE WARNED I AM DELETING YOU."

What determines your tolerance for a Facebook campaign?

Whip My Hair cover

I found this cover of Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" earlier this week, and I finally succumbed to an urge to post it on my blog. The bluesy take on a peppy R&B tune has attracted the attention of websites like MTV and Jezebel.

I have an odd weakness for a good cover song. I know the majority of covers are bad, unoriginal and off-key.

But when you find a really good one...well, sometimes you just have to whip your hair.



The original:

Promiscuity gene?

Your significant other just discovered you've been unfaithful. Consider explaining your behavior with this line:

"My genes made me do it."

Believe it or not, you'll have scientific backing. This study suggests a link between promiscuity and DNA. An excerpt:

A particular version of a dopamine receptor gene called DRD4 is linked to people's tendency toward both infidelity and uncommitted one-night stands, the researchers reported Nov. 30 in the online open-access journal PloS One.

The same gene has already been linked to alcoholism and gambling addiction, as well as less destructive thrills like a love of horror films. One study linked the gene to an openness to new social situations, which in turn correlated with political liberalism.

Regardless of the study's disclaimers, I fear cheating will eventually be regarded not as an individual lapse in judgment, but rather as a pre-determined force over which daters have no control.

Weigh in: Do discussions of a genetic predisposition toward infidelity affect your dating outlook?

Breakup ornaments

If an ex is on your shopping list this holiday season, I have a suggestion.

The ornament pictured above is a real trinket available at BreakupOrnaments.com, a website that appears pretty legit.

For just $8.50, you can decorate an ex's tree with a cute reminder of your broken relationship.

Happy holidays!

(via TresSugar)

Monday power anthem

I felt the early traces of a bad mood as I rolled into the office this morning.

Fortunately, I had my computer, YouTube and a consuming hunger for 'N Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays."

Go ahead and judge, but few things rival the thrill of seeing your favorite boy band in a sleigh.

Plus, I got a little misty-eyed upon revisiting Gary Coleman's cameo in the music video.

Sigh. Happier times.

Videos: Midget wrestling at Oxygen

Cheers to my colleague Mike Haskey for making some pretty awesome midget wrestling videos. Here's my recap of the event.

What's going on this weekend?

If you need Friday plans, hang out on Broadway in downtown Columbus. Check out the tree lighting festivities 6:30-8:30 p.m. There's also a block party when one $10 cover gets you into the majority of Broadway nightclubs.

Also, Ben's Chophouse celebrates its five-year anniversary 8-11:30 p.m. Friday. Expect drink specials and cake.

Here are some other highlights:

FRIDAY

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

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

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

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

SoHo Bar & Grill: Forced Entry, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

Belloo’s: Big Woody & The Splinters featuring Dianne Kennedy, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584. (also on Saturday)

The Loft: Peggy Jenkins and the Bizness, 9 p.m. block party cover. 706-596-8141.

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

The Uptown Vault: DJ Kamakazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. block party cover. 706-442-8370.

Spicoli’s: Waiting on Tyler, $5 cover begins at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

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

SATURDAY

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

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

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

The Loft: Jasper Drive, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

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

Shanty Shack: DJ John Boy, 7 p.m. free. 706-507-3418.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Katie Kerkhover, Mile Train, 9 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

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

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

Midget wrestling recap

I was a little cynical going into my second midget wrestling assignment. How much could the Micro Wrestling Federation's show change in six months?

Then, I met The Beast.

He entered the ring while an Ozzy Osbourne tune played in the background. Spectators at Oxygen nightclub wondered if the mini athlete -- a guy who flaunted Spandex, red boots and a major belly -- really weighed 220 pounds.

The answer? Yes.

Sure, other midgets took the ring during the event, held at Oxygen in downtown Columbus on Thursday night.

I cheered for Pitbull and Joe Kidd , athletes who boasted gruff personas and occasionally mouthed rap lyrics during intermission. Then, there was The Kid, a skinny wrestler who at one point was thrown over the wrestling ring's ropes and into the announcer's arms.

Still, I couldn't take my eyes off The Beast.

He eyed the crowd with a rage intensified by bold face paint. He occasionally challenged fans to join him in the ring. Nobody accepted the challenge.

The Beast was likely angriest caged mammal to ever appear at Oxygen, surpassing any girl fights that have occurred in the nightclub's dance cages.

He threatened his opponents with belly flops and somehow managed to wear a unitard without succumbing to a perpetual wedgie.

Starstruck, I caught up with The Beast after the show, wanting nothing more than to confirm the announcer's claim that he weighed 220 pounds.

I waited in line beside fans intent on havingl his name on their chests.

When he wasn't swarmed by groupies, I tapped his exposed shoulder.

He stared at me with an unspoken "huh?"

"Excuse me, I'm a reporter with the newspaper here. How much do you weigh?" I stammered.

"220."

I didn't want our conversation to end. Panicked, I blurted out another profound question.

"How tall are you?"

"4-foot-7," he said before walking away to another photo opportunity.

That was that.

I typed The Beast's weight and height into my cell phone, securing not only journalistic accuracy but also a permanent reminder of his rage.

When I drove home Thursday night, my hair smelled like cigarettes and my jeans were still wet from when a party goer inadvertently spilled her drink in a fit of Beast-inspired mania.

Nonetheless, I was strangely satisfied.

It's not every night that a midget with a protruding gut becomes Mr. Big.

(Photo by Mike Haskey)

Holiday parties. Or not.

At one point in the holiday season, someone will approach me about a holiday party. I'll get an e-mail during the preliminary stages of planning, when a date hasn't yet been set.

"Just check your calendar and tell me a few dates that could work," the host or hostess will say. "I know everyone's busy during this time or year."

I'll wait a few moments before sending back a few scattered calendar dates. "This is when my schedule is open," I'll reply.

It's purely a charade. My schedule is ALWAYS open.

I've kept my lackluster holiday social life under wraps for a little while because, well, it doesn't seem normal.

You always hear stories about people having to buy an LBD that will function for three shindigs, plus new sparkly heals and a buttload of Secret Santa gifts.

Are holiday parties really that prevalent?

Fortunately, a Jezebel writer understands my vacant calendar. In a recent post, "The Myth of the Holiday Party," she writes:

I'm sure there are some jobs — PR, maybe — that involve plenty of corporate sponsorship and lavish open bars and themed cocktails and maybe even the occasional bejeweled clutch.

But that's like .02 percent of the population: come December, is everyone else just really overdressed, bullied into buying something "festive," standing around clutching a paper cup in someone's apartment kitchen?

Share your thoughts in the comments section.

What's going on tonight?

Hey Thursday partiers! Tonight's big highlight is midget wrestling at Oxygen. It's 9-11 p.m. Cover charge is $10 until 8 p.m., then $15. More details here.

Some other highlights:

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

Players: Girls’ Night Out with free pool on hourly tables, 6:30 p.m. until close. Free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

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

SoHo Bar & Grill: Nathan Leigh, 10 p.m. free. 706-568-3316.

The Uptown Vault: Starlight Karaoke, 5 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Drunk off pancakes?

If you're hungry, check out this alcohol-infused breakfast. Among the highlights? Jack Daniels maple syrup.

Thanks to Mike Oz at the Fresno Beehive for the link.

Will you merry me?

Welcome to our annual discussion of a very important holiday question.

Is it cheesy to get engaged on Christmas?

TresSugar outlines some obvious pros and cons. On the positive side, you'll never forget the date. Also, it's likely you're surrounded by friends and family -- making the celebration even more special.

That is, assuming everything goes as planned.

And there, my friends, lies one of the biggest drawbacks to a Christmas proposal. If things go badly, one of the happiest holidays is ruined. FOREVER.

Another drawback? Christmas is already a calendar holiday, meaning you'll have to share your special day with lots of people.

Initially, I was totally adverse to the idea of a Christmas engagement. But last year, I had a few friends get engaged on Christmas and it seemed to only heighten the specialness of an already special holiday.

Where do you stand?

(Did you get engaged this holiday season? Consult Katie's blog as you navigate the world of wedding planning.)

Success isn't sexy?

If you're one of the women who thinks men are intimidated by your career ambitions, consider this NY Times article fuel for your fire.

The writer asks a question that I think seems a bit tired, despite ongoing discussions of gender roles and workplace equality.

"Is female empowerment killing romance?"

It's not hard to map out the rest of the article. Woman overtakes man in the labor market. Man gets insecure. Man breaks up with woman.

The piece even includes quotes like "success is not sexy" and "men don't want successful women, men want to be admired."

Am I the only one who doesn't buy it?

When I interviewed comedian/relationship expert Steve Harvey last month, he refuted claims that men get intimidated by women.

I know plenty of women who use "men are intimidated by my success" as a way to explain a relationship status.

While these women boast successful career lives, they also often have other flaws that interfere with their success in dating.

It's easier to reconcile our social failings by believing others envy our strengths, rather than admitting they're afraid of our weaknesses.

Thoughts?

Bad Sex in Fiction

You could win a Pulitzer...or you could lower your ambitions and strive for the Bad Sex in Fiction Prize.

It's a real award. This year's recipient is author Rowan Somerville, whose way with words includes crafty phrases like "(he) twisted onto her belly like a fish flipping itself."

Sexy, right?

Crafting bad sex scenes doesn't necessarily mean you're a bad writer. Case in point: Jonathan Franzen, often hailed as one of the best modern fiction writers, was nominated for the Bad Sex in Fiction Prize.

But a good share of novels with awkward sex scenes are awkward all around. I'll refer you to many review copies of romance novels I've received.

If I ever write a novel, there will be absolutely no sex scenes. I will explain every romantic interlude with a simple, "They went into the bedroom, turned off the light and that was that."

Hangover Helpers

You know the scene. Crusty salsa lines a kitchen counter. Empty beer create a dining room obstacle course.

Amid a throbbing headache, one question dominates your thoughts:

"Do I really have to clean this up?"

Maybe not.

Two University of Colorado graduates started Hangover Helpers, a business that takes care of college students' post-party cleanup. Not only will they clean your place -- they'll also bring you Gatorade and breakfast burritos.

They charge $15 per roommate. Not bad, right?

(via Jezebel)

In case you missed it....

Hands down, this moment was the highlight of my Black Friday coverage. Watch, enjoy and be glad you shop online.

Monday power anthem

Hope you survived Black Friday weekend with your credit card balance intact. Today's power anthem was an obvious choice. There's just so much to love about this song.

Go ahead, sing along with the glory note at the end. I won't judge.

Seize the day!

What's going on this weekend?

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Here are some weekend party highlights:

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.

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

Shanty Shack: Surgestone, 7-11 p.m. $5 cover starts at 8 p.m. 706-507-3418.

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

Flip Flops: Sweet Lisa, 9 p.m. $5.

SoHo Bar & Grill: The S&L Band, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

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

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

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

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

Belloo’s: The Good Doctor, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584.

SATURDAY

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

Belloo’s: The Good Doctor, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584.

Flip Flops: Sweet Lisa, 9 p.m. $5.

The Loft: Sun Domingo, 9:30 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

Fountain City Coffee: B.J. Holland, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

Spicoli’s: Smith and Lewis Band, $5 cover begins at 9 p.m. 706-221-5252.

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

SoHo Bar & Grill: Stereomonster, The Last Relapse, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

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

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

Need Thanksgiving plans?

Happy Thanksgiving! Instead of getting all sentimental, I'll refer you to an online posting with one of my favorite headlines ever: "Get sloshed this Thanksgiving."

It's collection of Thanksgiving cocktail recipes, including a Pumpkin Pie-tini.

Want to hit the bars on Thanksgiving? Quite a few hot spots are open. Here's a sampling:

Scruffy Murphy's, 1037 Broadway, opens at 5 p.m. The local musicians from Whisky Bent perform at 9 p.m.

SoHo Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, opens around 4 p.m. There's usually some food on Thanksgiving.

The Uptown Tap, 1042 Broadway, has a Thanksgiving party beginning at 7 p.m.

Flip Flops, 1111 Broadway, has $1 daiquiris. I also heard something about a hidden turkey contest.

La Margarita, 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., opens at 7 p.m.

The Uptown Vault, 1026 Broadway, has karaoke beginning at 5 p.m.

Blackout Wednesday

Welcome to Thanksgiving Eve, one of the biggest party nights of the year. Here's my recent article explaining the phenomenon.

People call it Black Wednesday -- or less tactfully, Blackout Wednesday. Bar often attribute the large crowds to the social reunions that happen when friends come home for the holidays.

Almost every bar will likely be crowded tonight. Need plans? Here are some highlights.

One quick matter of business: Tonight's Young Jeezy concert at the Columbus Civic Center has been postponed. Get details here.

Flip Flops, 1111 Broadway, hosts a performance by Brent Stephens. There's no cover and action starts at 9 p.m.

The Shanty Shack, 4475 Warm Springs Road, hosts a Pre-Turkey Day Bash with no cover charge. Spend $20 or more on drinks and get a free 10-inch pizza 3 p.m.-10 p.m.

Ben's Chophouse, 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., has a wine tasting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include three reds, three whites and two free select appetizers. Call 706-256-0466 for reservations.

The Uptown Vault, 1026 Broadway, has karaoke beginning at 7 p.m. No cover.

La Margarita, 5300 Sidney Simons Blvd., has drink specials including $2 margaritas, $5 long islands and more. No cover.

Spicoli's, 5762 Milgen Road, has DJ music beginning at 8 p.m. No cover.

Mix Ultra Lounge, 1107 Broadway, has a party beginning at 9 p.m. No cover for women.

It's the Great Pumpkin

Make extra Thanksgiving dessert, ladies.

Lemondrop alerts us to the arousal power that might accompany the smell of pumpkin pie. In a recent study, the smell reduced anxiety and eliminated inhibitions in men.

Fill your kitchen with pumpkin pie on Thursday, but I'll offer a quick warning.

Any romantic appeal is erased if your pie comes out of the oven with an unexpectedly watery consistency.

Trust me.

Engagement ring commercials

They've already arrived, and things will likely only get worse as Christmas approaches. Hopefully, this video will help you laugh through some of your pain.

Then, share your most hated engagement ring commercials in the comments section.

Monday power anthem

Today's power tune is best summarized with a seven-letter acronym: NKOTBSB.

Here's a clip of the life-changing musical hybrid that we witnessed at Sunday's American Music Awards 2010. I'm talking about New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys.

Now that we're on the subject, did I mention I live-blogged the entire AMAs? Read my candid commentary here.

Seize the day!

What's going on this weekend?

Hey party people! Quick highlight: Beatles tribute act Abbey Road LIVE! performs Saturday at The Loft. Get details here.

You can also try these weekend highlights:

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.

VFW Post 665: The Last Rodeo Band, 9 p.m. $5. 706-687-6656.

Belloo’s: Claiborne & Friends, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584.

Shanty Shack: Chad Bradford and the Damn Band, 7-11 p.m. $5 cover starts at 8 p.m. 706-507-3418.

Fountain City Coffee: Shaun Crane and Friends, 8 p.m. free 706-494-6659. (all ages)

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.

The Uptown Vault: DJ KamaKazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Homeless Hill, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

SATURDAY

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

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

Belloo’s: Claiborne & Friends, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584.

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

Fountain City Coffee: Shaun Crane and Friends, 8 p.m. free 706-494-6659. (all ages)

VFW Post 665: The Last Rodeo Band, 9 p.m. $5. 706-687-6656.

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

Ossahatchee Oyster Bar: LuvLizards, 7:30 p.m. free. 706-575-8825.

The Uptown Vault: DJ KamaKazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

SoHo Bar & Grill: Neal Lucas Band, Spencer Mulder Band, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

Is marriage unneccessary?

Time magazine offers an interesting article entitled, "Marriage: What's It Good For?"

The article lists a variety of reasons why marriage seems less appealing, but it doesn't overtly conclude that marriage is obsolete or unneccessary.

Nonetheless, the piece inevitably generates the usual "marriage is simply a social construct" response.

Anyone cynical of the institution might find fuel for their fire in the article, which includes lines like this quotation from a sociologist: "Getting married is a way to show family and friends that you have a successful personal life."

A big part of me wants to side with the cynics. I spent most of college vowing to never get married. Then, just as the idea grew more palatable, I watched many people get married for what I perceived as the wrong reasons. (Refer to the aforementioned quotation.)

Now I'm at a different point in my life, having sustained a nearly four-year relationship. I still hate the fluff that often comes with weddings, but an idea of "marriage" -- or lack thereof -- hangs over my head as some ultimate compass determining my future.

Honestly, I've grown to appreciate -- even look forward to -- the commitment marriage symbolizes. I like the idea of a formal promise.

However, articles like the Time piece make me reevaluate that sentiment. Amid some of the cynical comments, I feel like I'm being childish by still putting faith in such a disputed tradition.

Weigh in: Do you ever feel guilty for wanting to get married?

Divorce stigma?

Do divorced parents put you at a disadvantage in the dating world?

The Huffington Post has an interesting article about a possible dating stigma surrounding children of divorced parents. An excerpt:

Yet as the stigma about children of divorce began to weaken, new realities appeared. Social science evidence now demonstrates that, compared to those who grow up with married parents, children of divorce are at greater risk for a host of social problems.

Divorce also appears to be transmitted inter-generationally. Studies now show that when they grow up the children of divorce are themselves at significantly greater risk of divorce compared to those who grew up with married parents.

My hardest relationships came when I dated guys who from unstable families.

It's unfair to prematurely doom someone to their parents' fate, but most of us end up becoming our parents to some extent -- no matter how much we resist it.

But that doesn't mean our relationships will follow a pre-determined path. Watching your parents stay together is sometimes more painful than watching them divorce.

The goal is to watch, learn and remember that even the fullest arsenal of dating knowledge can't prepare you for the real world.

What's going on tonight?

Hey party people! Sorry for the delayed post...I've been having Internet issues today. Here are some Thursday night party options. Remember, it's $1 daiquiri night at Flip Flops.

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

Players: Girls' Night Out with free pool on hourly tables, 6:30 p.m. until close. Free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

Spicoli's: Stereomonster, 9 p.m. free. 706-221-5252.

The Uptown Vault: Starlight Karaoke, 5 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Room for the Holy Spirit

Mention the phrase "high school dance" and I'm immediately transported to a humid high school gymnasium, where chaperones would surprise unsuspecting teenagers with a flashlight's glare.

Their goal? Ensure all couples were leaving room for the Holy Spirit.

Translation: NO GRINDING.

The memory flashed through my mind when Salon's Broadsheet offered this item about an Oregon school canceling a high school dance due to a fear of dirty dancing.

Of course, students at my high school would get around the intrusive flashlights by grinding in the middle of the dance floor. The crowd was usually large enough to form a barrier that blinded flashlight regulators to their actions.

Guilty as charged.

Entertain me with your favorite memories from high school dances.

National UnFriend Day

Today is Jimmy Kimmel's National UnFriend Day, when you're supposed to clean out your Facebook friend list to eliminate the people you don't really consider friends.

Am I participating? No.

Sure, there are people on my Facebook friend list with whom I haven't communicated in years. That includes digital communication.

I have nearly 500 Facebook friends, and I'm ashamed to admit that I still sometimes ask "who is that?" when I see some of them on my news feed.

Still, "unfriending" seems so harsh. And let's face it, more Facebook friends means more potential for Facebook stalking. Which I love.

What's your criteria for ending a friendship on Facebook?

Do guys want flowers?

After reading this post's headline, you likely laughed and offered a direct "no."

Seems like that sentiment would put you in the majority, right?

After reading a post on Glamour, I wasn't so sure. A female asks a male writer if it's OK to send a guy flowers. He tells her to proceed with caution, but ultimately concludes:

However, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. In it's own way, it's a very cute and sweet gesture, just like when a man sends flowers to a woman. It's a way of saying "I'm thinking of you and wanted you to know that."

Hmm. I'm not sure that's the best outlook.

If you want to prove you're thinking about your guy, isn't it best to give him food or alcohol? Maybe even a sweatshirt?

Weigh in and let me know if it's cool to send flowers to a guy. I'll plan my Christmas gifts accordingly.

(Just kidding, honey!)

Weddings gone wrong

Jezebel wisely uses this video as a cautionary tale for anybody who's ever said, "Hey! Let's put some choreography into our wedding!"

Congratulations again to my newly married colleague Katie Holland -- er, Katie McCarthy -- whose wedding footage fortunately hasn't yet surfaced on YouTube.

I came. I ran. I conquered?

When my alarm went off just after 5 a.m. Saturday morning, one question entered my mind: "What am I doing?"

The answer, of course, was a half marathon. You know, the 13.1-mile race with a training regimen that had consumed my Saturday mornings for the past three months.

When my boyfriend and I arrived at the National Infantry Museum for the Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon around 6 a.m., I still couldn't believe we were going through with it.

The photo above features Alan and me, as well as Mike and Jaycee, two of our friends from our Saturday running group.

Long story short, we completed the race. My time was somewhere around 2:25-2:26, blame my vagueness on the fact that the results website was down at the time of this post.

Anyway, in fear of becoming one of "those bloggers" who details every mile of every race, I'll leave you with my three biggest lessons from the experience.

Humor helps. One of my biggest fears -- other than walking or having to go the bathroom mid-race -- was getting lost on the course. And of course, at the first water stop, I started running the wrong way upon grabbing my cup of water. After a gentle, "ma'am, it's THIS way," I was back on track. The experience actually loosened me up a lot.

Pain is temporary, pride is forever. This mildly cheesy slogan decorated the locker room in a gym I attended in California. I use it during my most challenging moments.

My biggest challenge on Saturday came around mile 11. I was exhausted. I'd been warned about the 10-mile slump and friends told me to "just think of the remaining distance as a 5K."

That sounds really helpful in theory, but then you realize that you usually don't start a 5K after already running 10 miles. Anyway, I pushed through and ran the entire thing.

Is that it? Prior to the race, I had visions of excitedly jumping up and down at the finish line. Make no mistake: I was happy, but my first instinct was to critique my performance.

Before the sweat even disappeared from my face, I'd gone through every mile in my mind -- wondering if I could've/would've/should've done something differently.

My answer? Of course.

But my post-race reaction underscored one of the biggest things I've taken away from the half marathon process: a willingness to test my limits and run harder in the moments when I'm most intent on running away.

Added bonus: the half marathon was a really nice way to justify eating these pumpkin pancakes at IHOP Sunday morning. Mmm.

Monday power anthem

Happy Monday, everybody! I'll soon post the highly anticipated recap of my first half marathon.

In the meantime, I'll torture you with the song that was stuck in my head for the ENTIRE 13.1 MILES. You're welcome.

What's going on this weekend?

Hey party people! So...I'm running a half marathon Saturday morning. Want to join me? Get details here.

Also, NerdaCon comes to Columbus State University Friday and Saturday. Learn more here.

Some musical highlights: Georgia Clay performs an all-ages show 6 p.m. Friday at Four Winds, 464 Ga. Highway 26 in Cusseta. Music starts at 6 p.m. and there's a $5 cover.

The Uptown Vault, 1026 Broadway, hosts a pajama party at 8 p.m. Saturday. No cover.

Other nightlife options:

FRIDAY

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

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

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

Belloo’s: Claiborne & Friends, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584.

Shanty Shack: Razin Kane, 7-11 p.m. $5 cover starts at 8 p.m. 706-507-3418.

Fountain City Coffee: Sean Rox and Friends, 8 p.m. free. 706-494-6659. (all ages)

SoHo Bar & Grill: Seven Zero Sixx, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

Spicoli’s: SamRoc & GRD, 9 p.m. $5. 706-221-5252.

The Uptown Vault: DJ KamaKazi, music videos and bar games, 8 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

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

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

SATURDAY

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

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

Belloo’s: Claiborne & Friends, 9 p.m. $5. 706-494-1584.

Spicoli’s: Crossing Levi, 9 p.m. $5. 706-221-5252.

Ossahatchee Oyster Bar and Grill: The Gary Parmer Band, 7:30 p.m. free. 706-575-8825.

The Loft: The New Familiars with Evan Barber, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

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

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

SoHo Bar & Grill: Southern Psykology, Powersville, 10 p.m. $5. 706-568-3316.

Single and stressed?

Being in a committed relationship can make you less susceptible to the effects of stress, according to research results mentioned in this USA Today article.

The news is an extension of a long-held belief that marriage protects you from some stress.

After I found this article, I spent a couple hours wondering if I've been more stressed out when I'm single or in a relationship.

It made me remember the flaw of research like the findings mentioned in USA Today.

Sure, romantic ties can lessen your stress load, but that's assuming you're in a stable, happy relationship.

I'd assume a significant other's presence alone can't make you less stressed. That person has to actively be taking measures to make you happy.

Weigh in: Are you less stressed while in a relationship?

Veterans Day reflections

I've learned a lot of relationship lessons from the military spouses I've met in Columbus.

Even if my love life never involves a deployment, watching my female friends deal with husbands serving overseas has made me contemplate questions about sacrifice and compromise.

Lily Burana's Thursday "Modern Love" essay in the NY Times is a worthwhile read.

Burana, a military spouse, notes her husband reveals combat details mainly while watching war movies.

It marks a departure from her initial fantasies of their relationship -- fantasies that involved a level of trust so strong that her husband would easily reveal any lingering emotional wounds.

But ultimately, Burana concludes an absence of truth sometimes reveals a relationship's depth. She writes:

Since marrying a soldier, I have developed a greater respect for quiet, its limitations and its monumental strength.

We’re taught to believe that the truth will set us free, but I also believe that certain facts withheld reveal a truth far greater: That real depth of devotion is proved not by the secrets we’re told but by the decision to shield us from the ones we need not hear. Love articulated by a lexicon of silence.

Thoughts?

What's going on tonight?

Happy Veterans Day! It's $1 daiquiri night at Flip Flops. Here are some other Thursday nightlife highlights:

The Uptown Vault: Starlight Karaoke, 5 p.m. free. 706-442-8370.

Players: Girls’ Night Out with free pool on hourly tables, 6:30 p.m. until close. Free. 706-653-0106. (18 and older)

SoHo Bar & Grill: The Sex Slaves, 10 p.m. free. 706-568-3316.

Spicoli’s: Stereomonster, 9 p.m. free. 706-221-5252.

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

Free food on Veterans Day

Some local restaurants on Thursday will offer free meals for military veterans and active duty military. Here's a roundup of the Veterans Day deals.

Texas Roadhouse: Military veterans and active duty military can get a free dinner Thursday at Texas Roadhouse, 2970 Northlake Parkway.

The offer is available 4-6 p.m. for veterans who come dressed in uniform (or with military identification). You'll receive a free meal from the Early Dine menu. Entrees include a grilled pork chop, sirloin steak, grilled barbecue chicken and more.

The offer doesn't include spouses or other family members. Call 706-323-6616.

Applebee's: All veterans and active duty military eat free at Applebee's restaurants on Thursday. Choose from a select group of entrees that includes a bacon cheeseburger, fiesta lime chicken, a sirloin steak and more. The deal is available during business hours. You must show proof of military service. Learn more here.

Chili's: The restaurant on Thursday will offer veterans and active duty military a choice of one of six free entrees. The deal is available during business hours. You must show proof of military service. Learn more here.

Outback Steakhouse: The restaurant on Thursday honors veterans with a free Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage. Must present military identification. Read more here.