watch out, cousteau

I'll let you guess what this snorkel is designed for. Give up? Read more here.

it's britney, bitch

Is it bad that I'm totally loving the new Britney Spears single?

Yeah, apparently.

I first heard the song, "Gimme More," while in the parking lot of my local Barnes & Noble. I was just about to leave the car and browse when a DJ introduced the tune, which you can listen to here.

So I just sat there in my car listening to all of its four-minute, eight-second glory...all the while dealing with the creeping sense of guilt. At the same time, as I resisted an urge to get up and dance, I had a private level of satisfaction. The kind you get when you realize a burrito that was dropped on your dog hair-laden floor still tastes absolutely fantastic.

No, it's not any kind of musical masterpiece, but when you take "Gimme More" for what it is -- a dance track -- the sound is actually pretty good. Some critics are even calling it Spears' best song since "Toxic," according to this article.

Sure, there's that whole train wreck/white trash factor, but few pop fans will argue the fact that if nothing else, Spears is a good performer. This comes straight from the girl who purchased "Britney Spears: Live In Las Vegas." And learned the dance to "Born to Make You Happy."

Now everyone's waiting for her newly confirmed appearance at Sunday's VMA Awards, when she'll perform "Gimme More."

It brings to mind images of her 2001 stint at the MTV show, when she hit the stage with a snake around her neck. Now, it seems as if it is her audience that has the power to choke the former Mouseketeer's career if she doesn't play her cards correctly.

Fortunately, Brit's ready to fight back -- beginning with the opening words of the single set to determine if she's poised for a comeback.

"It's Britney, bitch."

More, please!

read and reap

Happy Thursday!

Today's passage is from Celeste Bradley's "Seducing the Spy," a romance novel whose front cover teases readers with, "He lived for duty -- until she taught him the meaning of desire." Sounds like some good material. Here goes:

No harm done, unless one counted the jellied condition of her knees and the throbbing condition of her -- well, suffice to say that harm had been done. Garrett was right. She ought to take this man into that obscenely large bed and make him never want to leave it.

Nothin' like a woman in control. You go, girl!

give it back

Sick of guys wearing pink? You're not alone. This list outlines the top 10 things men never should have stolen from women. Here they are:

10. Pink

9. Boobs

8. Purses

7. Bras

6. Girls' night out

5. PMS

4. Thongs

3. Spandex/short shorts

2. Eyeliner

1. Makeup

My addition to the list? Capris. Or in male form, manpris. Eww.

busy signal?

Some 7 percent of respondents in this survey admitted to talking on the phone during sex.

Deal breaker or necessary multi-tasking?

hello, kitty!

Check out this Hello Kitty-themed wedding in Hong Kong, complete with a maid of honor and best man both dressed as variations of Hello Kitty.

You can also bid on a Hello Kitty "personal massager" here.

Meow.

really?!?

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Results of two major romance-related studies were recently released. Prepare to be completely shocked, everyone.

First, researchers discovered that women placed a huge emphasis on kissing -- "but men placed less importance on it, using it to increase the likelihood of sex." Read more here.

In the second study, researchers found that women are likely to be choosy when it comes to finding a mate, while men are more inclined to go for good looks.

Wow...I can't believe this stuff!

Of course, I'm kidding. It seems like science is just stating the obvious.

That said, do you find any comfort in knowing that many common relationship problems have scientific backing? Or does science just heighten your faith in incompatibility?