Anniversaries of anniversaries

In my experience, it's hard to find a man who shares your passion for monthly relationship anniversaries.

But maybe I'm wrong.

TresSugar reminds us of the "mensiversary," a term that apparently refers to the 30-day version of an anniversary.

So perhaps some couples really do make a point of celebrating each month they spend together.

A few months ago, I wrote a column about couples who go overboard on celebrations -- savoring lavish dinners for half-birthdays and anniversaries of anniversaries.

My initial reaction? Filling your calendar with makeshift holidays cheapens the specialness of the handful of holidays that matter most.

Then again, maybe I'm just bitter about the abundance of mensiversary gifts my boyfriend owes me.

I can't flirt

American women have failed at the art of flirting -- at least if you believe the results of a study conducted by one social networking site.

The site examined how often its female users initiated contact with men. Spanish women took the top honor, while American women placed 19th.

Jezebel suggests the study could have some holes, namely the fact that the website at the research's center (Badoo) seems to be more popular in Europe and Latin America than in the US.

Nonetheless, Jezebel's post raises an interesting question:

Does successful flirting yield a more successful relationship?

I say no. I've watched female friends pride themselves on the art of flirting, only to attract an abundance of phone numbers but a lack of quality.

I agree with the Jezebel blogger's assessment: "Flirting, I've come to realize, is an activity unto itself. The people who are really good at it — and who really love it — often do it with no expectation that it will lead to a relationship or sex."

Maybe now I'll feel a little less ashamed when I try to "strut" and end up falling flat on my face downtown.

Thoughts?

Downtown Columbus gets better?

Downtown Columbus on Monday welcomed two new businesses: Momma Goldberg's Deli (1101 Broadway) and Big Dog Running Company (1104 Broadway).

Momma Goldberg's Deli, pictured above, is a Georgia-Alabama restaurant chain that specializes in signature sandwiches like Momma's Love (roast beef, ham and turkey).

Hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. It'll be about a week until the downtown deli receives its alcohol license, employees said Monday.


Big Dog Running Company is billed online as a "full service specialty running store," Big Dog Running Company offers shoes, apparel and accessories. Guests use special equipment like an in-store treadmill to help ensure shoes fit properly.

Beginning the week of Nov. 15, Big Dog Running Company will offer group runs that start and end at the store. Check the store's website for more details.

Weigh in: Do the new offerings make you more excited about the downtown landscape? What will the late weekend hours at Momma Goldberg's do for the local nightlife scene?

Monday power anthem

Shameless plug: The 2010 CMA Awards airs 8 p.m. Wednesday on ABC, and I'll live-blog the entire show here. Jump in and share my hatred of Gwyneth Paltrow! Or not.

If you don't like Taylor Swift, click here to listen to Michael Jackson's new song. As in, the same Michael Jackson who died more than a year ago.

What's going on this weekend?

Hey party people! There's a First Friday Block Party, when one $10 cover gets you into the majority of downtown hot spots.

Here are some other nightlife highlights:

FRIDAY

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

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

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

Max’s: Gary Parmer Trio, 9 p.m. free. 334-480-8580.

Scruffy Murphy's: Jasper Drive, 10 p.m. block party cover. 706-322-3460.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shanty Shack: Foreplay (7-11 p.m.) and DJ music, $5 cover starts at 8 p.m. 706-507-3418.

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.

Scruffy Murphy's: Jasper Drive, 10 p.m. $5. 706-322-3460.

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

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

Shanty Shack: DJ music, $5 cover starts at 8 p.m. 706-507-3418.

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

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

The Loft: Back Row Baptists, 9 p.m. $5. 706-596-8141.

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

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

Why aren't you married?

Congratulations to my colleague Katie Holland, whose wedding is approaching! With luck, she'll give me a new set of Facebook wedding photos to stalk.

I envy Katie because she'll be exempt from one of my most despised parts of the holiday season:

"When are you getting married?"

The question enters some family gatherings, though I think its frequency is somewhat exaggerated.

Honestly, I get the marriage question more often at Columbus supermarkets than at the Sorich Family Thanksgiving Extravaganza.

Then again, maybe that's just because my family prefers to gossip about my relationship status behind my back. Just kidding, guys!

Awkward conversation topics are bound to enter holiday gatherings. Fortunately, Glamour has this list of smart responses to inappropriate personal questions.

The good news -- or bad news, depending how you look at it -- is that overly personal inquiries apparently don't stop once you're married.

Your marriage gives people the freedom to ask you about babies. Even if you have kids, nosy folks can still pry into your career.

Since awkward conversation starters aren't going away, it's probably best to shift your attention to your response.

Yes, you have my permission to resort to juvenile fart jokes.

Gift ideas. Already.

Whether you like it or not, holiday mode has arrived. (Are you reading, Dawn?)

Starbucks is serving its Christmas concoctions. Some holiday lights are up. Facebook statuses allude to wish lists.

With that comes a surprisingly early onset of "worst gift my boyfriend gave me" blog posts, like this one from TresSugar.

There are some exceptions, but the "bad" gifts generally include gifts that are practical and mildly necessary -- but not exactly romantic. Example: a compass.

Perhaps the posts' early arrival is designed as a cautionary tale, or a way to brace yourself for deflated expectations.

Weigh in: What makes a gift bad?