College football and romance

This week's nightlife column is about what happens when you meet your perfect match...but he or she roots for your least favorite college football team.

Fortunately, I’m one half of a relationship that doesn’t include die-hard football loyalties. For football parties, I have the freedom to tell my boyfriend to wear colors that match whatever dress I’m wearing -- no questions asked.

What’s my advice for couples facing the uphill battle of conflicting football ties?

If you can’t embrace your partner’s point of view, at least accept it. Some kind of passion -- even if it rivals your own -- is better than a life that relies on lukewarm views.

On that note, the Columbus Contemporaries host a Contemporaries Kickoff party tonight (Sept. 9) at the Columbus Museum. Open to guests 21 and older, it starts at 7 p.m. Learn more here.

Coca-Cola Freestyle

Going on a movie date? Prepare for some serious indecision -- well, at least if you're going to Carmike Cinemas' Ritz 13.

The movie theater has five new Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, newfangled soda fountains that boast more than 100 different beverage brands.

Watch the fun video I made with Cameraman on Wednesday.

Your approach to the beverage selection process might have some parallels to dating.

If you choose classic Coke after perusing all the options, you're probably a traditional dater who relies on time-tested standbys like roses, chocolate and dinner dates.

Mix your Coke with, say, Powerade and you're traditional with a slight streak of unpredictability.

And if you go for something really wacky -- maybe a mix of Fanta, Minute Made Lemonade and Barq's -- you thrive on an unconventional approach to relationships.

Wow, I crafted that analysis pretty quickly. What do you think?

Is this your dream man?

This video strikes a perfect balance between fun and creepy. Just watch. You won't be disappointed.

(via Jezebel)

Dream double date?

Glamour has an interesting blog post that asks readers which celebrity couple(s) they'd like to join on a double date.

It's an interesting question, especially since finding real-life couples suitable for a double date adventure can be challenging.

Throw the celebrity factor into the mix and you have an entirely new set of concerns.

Even though I often write about celebrities, I'm not too interested in the prospect of hanging out with famous people. I worry they'll be really mean in person and shatter my expectations.

Initially, I didn't want to join this celebrity double date discussion, but then the answer hit me.

Paul McDonald and Nikki Reed.

I'm totally obsessed with this couple, which includes an "American Idol" finalist and a "Twilight" star. I've already interviewed Paul McDonald, so I know he'd be nice on the date. I have no concerns about Nikki, either.

So, um, let's make this happen.

Which celebrity couple would you join on a double date?

Summer lovin'

Amid Labor Day's arrival, you've probably listened to some daters lament the end of a summer romance.

Sad day.

To curb the heartache accompanying the season's end, TresSugar offers tips "to keep summer lovin' hot for as long as possible."

I said many tearful end-of-summer goodbyes in my younger days, but I'm reluctant to use the phrase "summer fling" in adulthood. It just seems like a primarily teenage phenomenon.

And no offense, Georgia, but your extreme heat makes summers pretty unromantic.

Despite my love of sundresses and hot pants, I rarely feel sexy during a Georgia summer. That is, unless your definition of sexy includes frizzy hair and some nasty body odor.

Divorce rings

It seems like the trend of turning your breakups into party occasions isn't going away soon.

The newest development? Divorce rings.

Jezebel details the phenomenon, which includes a giant diamond ring shaped like a broken heart.

I'm divided on the trend. On one hand, I fully support anything that prevents my friends from moping around for two months post-breakup.

But on the other hand, does wearing a ring resembling heartbreak really mean you've moved on? Maybe breakup parties, divorce cakes and heartbreak jewelry only heighten an obsession with a relationship that's dead and gone.

Thoughts?

Too old for frat parties?

This week's nightlife column is about the common urge to hang out at your alma mater after graduating from college.

I’ve had many boring weekends since leaving college, but keg parties and dorm rooms were always much more than a car drive away.

But even without geography on my side, I’d like to think common sense alone would keep me away from the college party scene.

Many of us have memories of "that person." You know, the one who graduated with honors, secured a job quickly -- but still somehow ended up hanging out in the dorms nearly every weekend.

You publicly praised his or her presence -- while privately wondering if social life in the real world is really worse than college.

I suppose there are exceptions.

You have more freedom when you return for an athletic event or homecoming celebration. You know, events specifically designed to let alums mingle with a crowd naive enough to attach value to box wine.

That’s probably the best setup for victims of college nostalgia.

Because from what I’ve heard, trips back to the dorms are often accompanied by a harsh realization.

You’re too old for this stuff.