Two girls, one dress

This week's nightlife column is about one of the fashion world's scariest scenes: two women show up to the same party wearing the same dress.

In the grand scheme of things, the emotional stress of matching gowns is purely a temporary discomfort.

But for a culture that often views wardrobe choice as an extension of individuality, an unwanted identical twin can seriously break someone’s nightlife stride.

For some reason, it seems like the crisis is more prevalent during the months of sandals and sundresses.

Unless you have a personal seamstress employed in your basement, you can fall victim to the disaster.

If that happens, what do you do?

For starters, avoid the urge to tarnish your twin’s getup with spilled cranberry juice. We’re not in the market for “The Real Housewives of Columbus.” Yet.

Any other suggestions?

Change your name, change your life

OK...maybe this post's headline is a little dramatic.

I needed a way to get excited about the over-discussed topic of changing your last name after marriage.

I feel like I've already discussed it at length, but I couldn't resist linking to this article that lists six ways of changing your name after marriage.

The list includes common options like changing your name and, well, not changing your name.

But there are also some unconventional suggestions like creating a new last name and making a mashup of you and your partner's last names.

Hmm. Do people really do that?

Goodbye gay bars?

Are gay bars headed for extinction?

That's the central question in this Slate article, which asks if a broadened gay rights movement will make gay bars, well, a little unnecessary. An excerpt:

Once upon a time — back in the dark days of the late 20^th century — gay bars were the only venues where gay people could let down their defenses. Now, at least in urban centers, gay men and lesbians feel safe in scads of straight restaurants and bars. But when new options open up, what happens to the old segregated institutions?

I'm not sure if this hypothesis holds up in Columbus, where gay bars still often exist under a cloak of secrecy.

I think the major issue locally is getting gay bars to a point where they're not hidden by unmarked doors and secret locations.

Share your experiences with the local gay bar scene, or lack thereof.

Curly hair and dating

My hair is often an unruly third wheel in the dating world.

For many years, I was resigned a belief that my curly locks meant I could never beg a guy to run his fingers through my hair.

Once I learned to straighten my tresses, I had to adapt to a two-hour primping routine that inevitably delayed many nights on the town.

The memories resurfaced when I found this DoubleX piece praising the possibility of a curly-haired heroine in a Pixar film.

Many people likely shrug their shoulders at the news.

But it's a major victory for curly-haired women who have grown accustomed to headlines like the Millionaire Matchmaker's assertion that curly hair probably won't do you any favors in the dating world.

Thoughts?

Fighting words

Looking to explain your relationship fights with something other than "my boyfriend is stupid"?

Consult this Wall Street journal column, where one writer points to brain differences that can make couples butt heads.

Short summary: When one person is strong in analytical thinking and the other person is strong in conceptual thinking, you have a good chance of fighting over silly things.

I've been there.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure articles like this decrease a couple's chances of fighting.

They do, however, help you realize that occasional fights don't always mean your personalities are flawed. They're just...different.

Right?

Monday power anthem

Today's power anthem was inspired by the tribute to Patti LaBelle at Sunday's 2011 BET Awards.

This song rocks my face off.

Repeat after me: "I'm in control, my worries are few."

Seize the day!

Packing heat...and bras

You use a duffel bag, he relies on a garment bag. Can the relationship survive?

That question might cross your mind upon reading this guy's blog post, "Men pack for Mars, women pack for Venus."

The central message?

Some people think men and women pack for vacation differently. Men apparently "tend to group types of clothing, and women are more likely to group outfits."

While a Jezebel writer questions the conclusion's accuracy, I can't help questioning its significance.

We can find gender differences in a variety of daily activities, ranging from packing a suitcase to showering. But do those differences always indicate some deeper life truth?