CHRISTINA IS GETTING BETTER

SHE KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

Next Tuesday, CHRISTINA AGUILERA'S greatest hits compilation, "Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits", will drop, exclusively at Target stores. To promote the release, Christina has filmed a BIZARRE new TV commercial. It has a comic book theme . . . and Christina appears in a tight red, superhero jumpsuit.

YOUR MYSPACE COULD RUIN YOUR CHANCE AT COLLEGE

ONE IN TEN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS LOOK AT SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES TO EVALUATE APPLICANTS:

By now, you should know that employers use Facebook and MySpace to gather information about you when you're applying for a job. But it turns out they're not the ONLY ones using social networking sites to do research on applicants.

A new survey found that ONE in TEN college admissions officers look at social networking sites to evaluate applicants . . . and 38% say that what they've seen has, "negatively affected" an applicant's chances of getting accepted. In fact, some admissions officers say they've rejected applications based SOLELY on what they've seen on Facebook or MySpace profiles. (Wall Street Journal)

Now, if you're applying to a large state school, you might think it doesn't matter what's on your MySpace profile . . . because no admissions officer is going to spend hundreds of hours scouring thousands of profile pages, right? WRONG! Admissions officers at competitive schools say they receive anonymous tips about inappropriate content on social networking profiles . . . from OTHER APPLICANTS who are hoping to improve their own chances of getting accepted. In other words, an admissions officer might not check your profile on his own . . . but he will check it if the nosy girl in your Physics class who ALSO wants to go to that school tells him to check out the pictures of you on Facebook!

TOY HALL OF FAME

THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE TOY HALL OF FAME IS . . . THE STICK???

Yesterday, officials for the National Toy Hall of Fame announced that three classic toys will be added to their collection at the Strong National Museum in Rochester, New York. So what are these classic toys?

The baby doll, the skateboard and . . . the STICK. And, yes, by "stick" . . . I mean the kind of thing you get from a tree. (Yahoo News)

(Check out a photo of the "stick" being inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame)

This reminds me of that bit from "The Ren And Stimpy Show", when they did a commercial for the new toy, "Log".

BAD BARNEY

NOT HAPPY, GONNA BITE!

I know Republicans are mad, but this is crazy. Yesterday, PRESIDENT BUSH'S dog, Barney, bit a White House reporter who tried to pet him.

(In Barney's defense, he looked like he wasn't in the mood. The reporter shouldn't have put his hand there in the first place!)

STICKY SITUATIONS

***WHAT TO DO IN FIVE STICKY SITUATIONS***

Not sure how to handle some of life's stickiest situations? It's hard to dodge everything life throws at you, but here are five things that could happen and expert advice on how to react . . .

#1.) YOUR FRIEND'S SPOUSE COMES ONTO YOU. Should you tell your friend? Well, if it happens more than once, you might feel obligated to spill the beans. Just remember, your friend might already know what's up, and may not WANT to confront it.

#2.) YOU GOSSIP ABOUT SOMEONE IN AN E-MAIL, THEN E-MAIL IT TO THE PERSON BY MISTAKE. Start groveling . . . then own up to what you did. Seeing something mean written about you in cold, hard TIMES NEW ROMAN is tough.

#3.) YOUR 12-YEAR-OLD SON IS GETTING VERY SEXY TEXT MESSAGES FROM A GIRL. Do you talk to the girl's parents? . . . YES! . . . But make sure you talk to your son about it first. If you go behind his back, he'll be even angrier.

--And be delicate with the parents too. They probably won't take kindly to hearing naughty things about their innocent little angel.

#4.) A CO-WORKER KEEPS SAYING INAPPROPRIATE THINGS. Make a joke about the inappropriateness of the comment, but if it continues, take the person aside and talk about it. Just make sure you critique the REMARK, not the person.

#5.) YOUR FRIEND ASKS WHAT YOU THINK OF HER NEW BOYFRIEND, AND YOU HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY. Honesty's NOT always the best policy. Often, people ask for your opinion, but really just want your praise and approval. (Oprah.com)

PRESIDENT OBAMA

CHECK OUT A COOL SERIES OF PHOTOS OF YOUR NEW PRESIDENT:

Whether you love BARACK OBAMA or you hate him . . . you have to admit that these photos documenting his presidential campaign are pretty cool. (Boston Globe)

(--You can link to this cool photo collection . . . including a shot of Obama playing basketball with his shirt tucked in . . . here . . .)http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/11/the_next_president_of_the_unit.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1

YOUR SMELL IS UNIQUE

YOUR BODY ODOR IS JUST AS UNIQUE AS YOUR FINGERPRINT:

Personally, I feel that if you smell one stinky, sweaty person . . . you've smelled them all. But according to a new study . . . that's not actually true. Researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia have found that everybody has a unique, genetically-determined body odor . . . or "odortype" . . . and it's transmitted through body fluids like sweat.

Now, I know what you're thinking . . . "When I eat a lot of garlic, I smell different". --That's true . . . but your underlying odortype is still the same.

A guy named Jae Kwak led the study. He says the findings, "indicate that biologically based odorprints, like fingerprints, could be a reliable way to identify individuals." In other words, your body odor is just as unique as your fingerprint or your DNA. (Live Science)

THE RULES OF ONLINE DATING

***THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF ONLINE DATING***

Online dating sites have become really popular, and today more people than ever are meeting online. But that means there's also a lot more competition. So here are the Ten Commandments of online dating to make sure you play by the rules . . .

#1.) THOU SHALT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD. EVERYONE likes TV, music and movies. So, a catchy title and some unusual interests go a long way. Spend some time coming up with a decent profile and your prospects increase dramatically.

#2.) THOU SHALT NOT DISPLAY THY BAGGAGE. Everyone's got a dark past, but there's no reason to expose it on the Internet. Give people a chance to know you before you let them into your scary little world.

#3.) THOU SHALT NOT POST A MISLEADING PHOTO. We all want to show ourselves in the best light possible, and choosing a good photo is fine. But if you're doing major Photoshopping or using an image of someone else, you'll be found out.

#4.) THOU SHALT BE PROACTIVE. There are plenty of potential partners out there, and they're just waiting for you. To maximize your chances, target as many people as possible. If you play the odds, you greatly increase your chance of meeting someone.

#5.) THOU SHALT BE REALISTIC. Messaging a model whose interests include opera and art might make things harder on you. By all means, give it a shot, but remember that the normal rules of dating still apply, so look for someone you click with.

#6.) THOU SHALT NOT BE BLATANT. Let's be honest. A lot of online daters are just looking to get busy. So guys, lay off the pillow-talk. At best, you'll seem like you sleep around. At worst, she'll think you're a stalker.

#7.) THOU SHALT BE HONEST. Make the most of what you've got, but don't lie. Ideally, you'll actually meet someone who likes your profile, so don't say you're a body builder with a pilot's license. You're setting everyone involved up for disappointment.

#8.) THOU SHALT BE WITTY AND CONCISE. Don't write a novel when you're messaging a potential partner. Keep your messages short and sweet. They don't need to know the name of the puppy you had when you were a kid, so save the details for later.

#9.) THOU SHALT ALWAYS BE SAFE. It goes without saying that you should NEVER meet anyone you don't trust. Get to know the person over the phone first. Your safety is paramount . . . unless you want to inspire an episode of "CSI".

#10.) THOU SHALT REMEMBER THE REAL WORLD. Online dating won't necessarily get you the man or woman of your dreams, but even if it does, you might not live happily ever after. So remember that the Internet is just another way to meet people.--All the important stuff happens offline.(FreeDating.co.uk)

THIS DAY IN HISTORY!

ON THIS DAY IN 1935:

The game MONOPOLY was introduced by the Parker Brothers Company. (--You can see some interesting facts about Monopoly here: http://www.hasbro.com/games/kid-games/monopoly/default.cfm?page=Entertainment/funfacts.)

Check out this vintage McDonalds Monopoly commerical from 1987!

HSM GEAR FOR SALE

NOW, YOU CAN OWN SOME OF THE DRESSES WORN IN "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3":

Would you like to own a dress that was actually worn by somebody in "High School Musical 3"??? You can. They're auctioning off a bunch of them to benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Check out all the dresses here . .
http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=*starlightstarbright*

HEIDI KLUM'S COMMERICAL

HAVE YOU SEEN HEIDI KLUM'S NEW "GUITAR HERO" COMMERCIAL???

Have you seen the latest commercial for "Guitar Hero: World Tour", featuring HEIDI KLUM dancing around in her underwear like TOM CRUISE in "Risky Business"??? It's surprisingly racy. And now, there's a quote-unquote "director's cut" online. I don't really know what's different about it, but I assume it features a few more seconds of Heidi dancing than you see in the TV version.

(WARNING: IT MAY BE A BIT RISQUÉ FOR SOME. VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK!)

WOOF WOOF

***TOP TEN DOG-OWNER MISTAKES***

We all love our four-legged friends, but there's a lot we don't understand about them. Here are the top ten mistakes that dog-owners make . . .

#1.) BUYING SPONTANEOUSLY. A lot of parents give their kids a pet for Christmas or as a birthday present, and then regret it later. Others just can't help themselves when they see a cute dog at the pet store. But dogs can be expensive, and they require A LOT of attention. So make sure you think it over first . . . because a pet should NEVER be an impulse buy.

#2.) SKIPPING OBEDIENCE TRAINING. Bad habits develop quickly, and as your dog gets older, it'll get harder and harder to train. So, unless you know what you're doing and are confident you can train your pet, get help from a professional.

#3.) BEING INCONSISTENT WITH THE RULES. If one person lets the dog on the bed and another person punishes her for it, the dog won't know WHAT to think. Make sure everyone knows what the rules are, and be as consistent as possible. (I am guilty of this one)

#4.) GIVING TOO MANY TREATS. Treats should be used as a training tool. If you give them away for no reason, they lose their value. So, try holding off until your pet does something good. Your dog's behavior will improve, and they'll lose weight.

#5.) NOT LETTING YOUR DOG SOCIALIZE. Pets that aren't around other animals at a young age can develop fears and aggressive behavior. Your dog should spend as much time as possible around adults, kids and animals, to let them get comfortable.

#6.) SKIMPING ON EXERCISE. Pets have pent-up energy that NEEDS to be unleashed. Dogs that aren't allowed to exercise tend to bark more often and can be hostile around other people.

#7.) LETTING THEM GET BORED. Pets with nothing to do, FIND something to do . . . which means you're buying new SLIPPERS. Make sure there's a window they can see out of, and buy them a new toy every so often.

#8.) LEAVING THEM ALONE. Your dogs and cats can deal with a quick trip to the store, but don't leave them alone for a whole day and expect everything to be fine. Like us, pets don't like solitary confinement . . . as evidenced by that stain on your carpet.

#9.) NOT MAKING YOUR HOME DOG-FRIENDLY. A cat without a good litter box will just use the carpet, and a dog without a bed will end up on the couch. If you don't give your dog its own AREAS and its own STUFF, it'll end up using yours.

#10.) PUNISHING YOUR PET. Screaming at your pet for chewing the remote control might help you let off some steam, but your pet won't connect the dots. It's okay to startle a pet if you catch them doing something wrong, but after the fact, it's pointless. --And NEVER punish your pets physically. They'll just learn to fear you. (RealSimple.com)

PARTY TIME

***FIVE RULES FOR A GOOD ELECTION PARTY***

Tonight, people all over the country are throwing election parties. And whether you're hosting or attending, there are a few rules you'll want to follow to make sure everyone has a good time. Here are five election party rules that you should keep in mind . . .

#1.) FOOD AND DECOR. If you're throwing a party and you know your guests are all supporting the same candidate, it's okay to be one-sided. But if the party is a mix of Democrats and Republicans, make sure everyone will have fun. --For example, if you're making Obama-tinis, make some McCain Margaritas too.

#2.) REMEMBER WHY YOU'RE THERE. Your guests don't want to be screaming their heads off in heated arguments all night. So remember . . . you're there to have fun. All the votes have been cast, and you won't change anyone's mind on election night.

#3.) KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO. If you're going to a party, there might be people there that you don't know very well. So don't assume anything. You can never be sure how passionate someone is about a subject, so take things slow.

#4.) HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY. Even if you stay calm and collected, someone else might be ready to pick a fight. So make sure you can quickly and painlessly end a conversation. Simply saying, "We'll have to agree to disagree," is usually enough.

#5.) BE A GRACIOUS WINNER (OR LOSER). Most people take politics VERY seriously. So don't gloat if your candidate wins or take your anger out on everyone else if he loses. Try to take things in stride. You'll have four years to brag and complain. (iVillage.com)

EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!

***FIVE REASONS YOUR VOTE STILL COUNTS***

Election Day is tomorrow. Even if you're disgusted by politics and don't see eye to eye with either of the candidates, it's still important to vote.

Here are five reasons for you to get off the couch and head to the polls tomorrow. . .

#1.) THE ECONOMY. Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on the wealthy to help pay the bills, and John McCain wants to keep taxes low for everyone to help get the economy back on track. Even if you're not 100% on board with either candidate, you have a stake in the economy.

#2.) THE CONGRESS. If Obama wins, and Democrats end up with more than 60 seats in the Senate, they'll be able to advance their agenda big time. Some say that would help get things DONE in Washington, but others argue it would leave Democrats with WAY too much power.

#3.) THE SUPREME COURT. Right now, Roe v. Wade is upheld by a 5 to 4 vote in the United States Supreme Court. And there's a VERY good chance that three of the five judges who support abortion rights will retire in the next four years. --Since the President appoints Supreme Court justices, he'll decide who fills those empty slots. Barack Obama will probably appoint liberal judges who'll uphold the law, and John McCain will probably appoint more conservative judges who'll support overturning it.

#4.) YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS. You're not just voting for the President tomorrow. You're voting for Congressmen, Senators, and local officials too. A lot of people just vote straight down party lines, so it's especially important to vote your conscience this year.

#5.) THE POLLS CAN BE WRONG. Obama has a big lead in most polls, but some experts say the election is A LOT closer than people think. So, don't cancel your trip to the ballot box just because you think the election's already over. Get out there and vote. (The Complete Sheet)

ELECTION TIPS

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR HANDLING ELECTION DAY . . . IF YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER WANTS THE OTHER GUY TO WIN:

I love that people get so fired up about politics. But what do you do if the person you wake up next to every morning wants the OTHER guy to win tomorrow? Well, we tracked down a list of TEN tips to help you make it through Election Day . . . without totally messing up your relationship.

#1.) Assess the situation. Is one of you way more passionate about your candidate . . . while the other doesn't really care? Acknowledge who feels more strongly . . . and figure out whether you'll be able to engage in real political discourse or not.

#2.) Find common ground. Even if you're on opposite ends of the political spectrum, chances are you'll be able to see eye-to-eye on at least one or two issues. Try to focus on them.

#3.) Establish boundaries. Things can get seriously ugly when it comes to politics. Recognize that . . . and set up a few ground rules to prevent your political conversations from getting out of hand.

#4.) Show respect. When you love and respect someone, try to remember that. No matter how insane you think their political beliefs are, don't taunt or make passive-aggressive digs. Seriously . . . that's not cool.

#5.) Don't make judgments. At the end of the day, you love someone for who they are . . . and most of those qualities have nothing to do with who they vote for.

#6.) Find distractions. If you wanted to, you could talk . . . and argue . . . about politics 24/7 . . . but what's the point? Find something to distract both of you . . . so you don't claw each other's eyes out.

#7.) Find your outlet. If you can't talk to your partner about politics, find another way to express your feelings. Talk to friends who are politically likeminded or write a blog. Do whatever it takes so you don't go home . . . and pick a stupid fight.

#8.) Keep it out of the bedroom. Your bed should be a safe zone. . . NOT a place to exchanging your thoughts on your candidate's plan for the economy.

#9.) Make a plan for election night. Let's face it . . . one of you is going to be happy, and the other isn't. Go to separate election-watching parties . . . or keep an eye on the results from different rooms. Either way, just be prepared.

#10.) Do a reality check. You might have a great relationship in spite of your different political beliefs . . . or you might have major philosophical differences which make you incompatible. Unless you really want to be miserable . . . you'd better figure it out. (CNN)

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HERE'S SOME FREE STUFF YOU CAN GET JUST FOR VOTING:

In theory, having a say in who becomes the next president should be fulfilling enough. But just in case it isn't . . . here's a list of places that are giving out FREE STUFF to voters on Tuesday.

#1.) Krispy Kreme will be giving out free star-shaped doughnuts with red, white and blue sprinkles . . . to anyone who comes in wearing an "I Voted" sticker.

#2.) If you go into Starbucks on Tuesday and tell them you voted . . . they'll give you a free cup of coffee.

#3.) Ben and Jerry's will be giving out free scoops of ice cream . . . from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Election Day . . . to anyone who votes. (News & Observer)

ONE LUCKY MAN

LOOK AT THIS PICTURE AND TELL ME THIS GUY ISN'T LUCKY TO BE ALIVE:

Last Tuesday, 42-year-old Dennis Klingseisen of East Hempfield, Pennsylvania was driving down the highway when a three-foot metal bar fell off a truck and smashed through his windshield. Luckily, the bar hit the steering wheel . . . and Dennis escaped the accident with only a scraped hand. (Lancaster New Era)

MILEY IS STILL BITTER

MILEY CYRUS TOOK A SHOT AT NICK JONAS DURING A GIG ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT:

MILEY CYRUS was performing in Paris on Halloween night. And it would appear she took a shot at her alleged ex-boyfriend, NICK JONAS, during the song "Seven Things". --When she introduced the song, she dedicated it to all the women who, quote, "hate their ex-boyfriend". And when the song was over, she said, quote, "I still hate you."

(--Oh, and here's Miley's 20-year-old boyfriend, JUSTIN GASTON, trying to be funny by dressing as Nick Jonas to hand out candy at Miley's house . . .)