POSTED 2.8.05
Ben Kweller is a master Boy Scout who can survive in the wild with carrot stick and a piece of scotch tape. Who said being a boy scout isn't cool? A record deal says it is! "Camping 101 with Ben Kweller," YM, September 2004, p102

Ashlee Simpson used to be so shy she wouldn't even sing in front of people. She was afraid she wasn't good enough! Is there something you're too scared to do that you wish you could do? Don't wait anymore! Go do it now! Ashlee also admits that sometimes it sucks to have an older sister to seems to have it all. You think it's hard to live up to your big sister's image? Try having Jessica Simpson as your older sister! Ashlee's secret is "finding your own identity and realizing you don't have to be like anyhone else." "The Sister Who Rocks," YM, September 2004, p114.

Ashanti used to do levitation at sleepovers (you know, the "light as a feather, stiff as a board thing"). Anyway, it worked! So now she's a little freaked out about creepy, ghostlie ghoulie kind of stuff. Do you believe it exists? Who has seen a ghost or knew about an event before it actually happened? "Star Scene," Teen People, February 2005, p46

Michelle Theriault is the only female driver on the Hooters Procup Series racing circuit (one step below Nascar). She says its tough because lots of the guys on the tour don't think a female belongs on the pro race car circuit, but that just makes her all the more determined to succeed. Do you have interest in a male-dominated field? Don't let gender stop you! Go for it! (Michelle does point out that the male to female ratio is decidedly in her favor when it comes to dating... ). "Your Life Story: I'm a Race Car Driver," Teen People, February 2005, p51

Ryan Cabrera used to work in a fast food chicken restaurant. Does that mean all of us who worked at Mickey D's will someday have a record deal? "What's Next?" Teen People, February 2005. p96

POSTED 10.5.04
Nelly likes athletic girls! One of his first crushes (in fourth grade) was because the girl could kick the ball as far as he could. "Star Fan Club," Teen People, October 2004, p70

Did you know Tom Cruise is dyslexic? Just goes to show that it doesn't need to hold you back from accomplishing your dreams. "Star Fan Club," Teen People, September 2004, p91

Chad Michael Murray was not only uncool in high school, but according to him, he didn't have any friends at all. So if you're not in the popular group, don't despair! It means you're destined for a star-studded career! "We Love Chad," Teen People, September 2004, p140-141.

Brittany Murphy believes the most important trait in a boyfriend is that you can totally be yourself when you're around him. If he doesn't like you the way you really are, then he doesn't deserve you. Good advice, don't you think? "The Good Girl," Cosmogirl, September 2004, p156

POSTED 7.11.04
Julie Roberts: Brand new country music star was "discovered" while she was working as an admin for the record company that signed her to a record deal. Not a bad job perk, huh? (CMT Most Wanted Live) Check out www.julierobertsonline.com

Mary Kate & Ashley have announced that they are no longer twins. Well, sort of. They just don't want to be referred to as twins and are making plans to build solo careers. Think it'll actually happen? Email me with your predictions. (Seventeen Magazine, July 2004, cover story) Check out www.seventeen.com

Jessica Simpson: her birthday's coming up! Send her a happy birthday note on July 11th! Do you have the same birthday as she does? (YM, July 2004, p114) Check out www.ym.com

Avril Lavigne: as a kid, she was a self-proclaimed tomboy who played ice hockey and baseball. I guess that's what they mean when they say girls who play sports end up being more successful than girls who don't. I mean, come on, has Avril made it or what? (Cosmogirl, June/July 2004, p61) Check out www.cosmogirl.com

Reese Witherspoon: Did you know Reese was a cheerleader in high school? See page 124 of the August issue of Cosmogirl for a photo!

Alex Vega (star of Spykids): What a jokester! She Saran Wrapped all the desks together in the classroom trailer of her costars during the filming of the movie Sleepover. (Cosmogirl, August 2004, p65)

Has anyone else ever played pratical jokes on their friends? Email me with the details! Once when I went on vacation, my friend emptied out my office at work completely. When I came back from vacation and walked into my empty office, I thought I'd been fired and they forgot to tell me!!!

Brandy: Who says you can't indulge your domestic inclinations and still be an uber successful professional as well? Brandy admits she loves cooking and claims her sweet summer corn and cornbread is her most popular dish. And she's a softie at heart, taking Elmo on the road with her for a little snuggling. (Teenpeople, August 2004, "5 Questions with Brandy," p84).

Do any of you still sleep with stuffed animals? I have a whole slew of them, but I stopped sleeping with them when I got a dog that slept on my pillow. There wasn't room for an eighty-pound black lab and my three foot teddy bear named Chip, so Chip had to be relocated. Poor Chip!

Adam Brody (The O.C.): Did you know one of his favorite shows as a teenager was Beverly Hills 90210? (Teenpeople, August 2004, "5 Things you Didn't Know About the OC's Adam Brody," p84).

I guess that means that it's okay for me to admit that I also liked that show. Anyone else raising their hands?

Will Smith: Yeah, we all know he's totally hot and incredibly talented, but did you also know he's brilliant? He was accepted into MIT! Go, Will! Teenpeople, August 2004, "Will Power," p102.

Hilary Duff: Never give up! Did you know that Hilary was fired from her first television show when she was twelve because the producers decided she wasn't quite right? (Seventeen, August 2004, "Hilary Duff," p.158).

Hilary didn't take "No" for an answer, and look how successful she ended up being! Anyone else have stories about when they refused to give up and went on to succeed?

On the Ledge
Do You Control Your Own Destiny?
How Loyal Are You?
How Focused On Your Future Are You?
How Healthy Are You?
Jocks vs Geeks

How Competitive Are You?

1) You get a new haircut that totally rocks. The next day, your bff gets a haircut that everyone is talking about. What do you do?

• a. Find out who her hairdresser is, cut school and go get the same haircut, only better.
• b. Hate her for an hour or two, then decide that you still look good, so it really doesn't matter.
• c. Join the crowds of admiring throngs. Why not? She does look awesome!

2) You get a B+ on your math test and you are totally pumped. It was so hard and you'd been worried that you'd failed. Then you find out your bff got an A- on the same test. What do you do?

• a. Tell the teacher you saw her cheating.
• b. Decide you can't talk to her for a least a week, and study really hard for the next test so you can kick her butt.
• c. Congratulate her and join her on a shopping spree at the mall to celebrate both your successes.

3) The new guy sits next to you in your English class, and you decide he's not a total loser, but not cute enough to bother with. At lunch, your bff announces that he's a total hottie and he asked her to the movies on Friday night. What do you do?

• a. Catch him in the hall that afternoon, tell him your friend is actually an alien, and invite him over to your house Friday night, and make sure he accepts. He is so yours!
• b. Spend the rest of the week wondering whether you made a mistake in ignoring him, then forget about it when you catch a glimpse of your cute new neighbor.
• c. Good for her!

4) Your soccer team plays the #1 team in the league playoffs and loses by one goal in the last minute. You're supposed to go out with your boyfriend tonight to celebrate your one month anniversary. What do you do?

• a. You lock yourself in your room for the night staring at the ceiling being depressed. Forget the date. Your life is over.
• b. Go out for your anniversary but you're in a bad mood the whole night...until he surprises you with exactly the necklace you've been dreaming off.
• c. Go out and have a brilliant night. Who cares that you lost? Your boyfriend adores you.

5) Your best friend is heading up the dance committee and she wants you to help out. You have no interest in helping, then you find out that there is a state wide competition for proms and that judges will be attending. Winner gets a big plaque and bragging rights. What do you do?

• a. Sign up immediately! If there's a chance for someone to win, you're in.
• b. Ah...such a tough decision. You don't want to do it, but it would be so fun to kick the butt of your rival schools... You spend a week debating and finally decide that the torture of being on the dance committee simply isn't worth the thrill of competition.
• c. Sorry, but the answer's still no.

6) It's college application time and you've picked out your favorite school. Everything about it is the perfect fit for you. Then your best friend comments that your favorite school isn't actually a very good school and she would never apply. What do you do?

• a. You immediately toss the application, find out where she's applying and then apply to even better schools.
• b. You tell her you were just kidding, but apply anyway, and spend the next six months wondering whether or not it's as good as you thought it was.
• c. Apply for Early Decision and cross all your fingers that you get in.

Answers:

Mostly A's: Um, girlfriend? You have *got* to get a handle on your competitiveness. I mean, it's all good to want to strive to be the best, but you're going to wind up with no friends and a miserable life if you don't get a handle on it.

Mostly B's: You might hate losing, and you feel an occasionally twinge of jealously if your bff beats you at something, but you do a pretty good job keeping your competitive juices under control. Nice work!

Mostly C's: You're totally mellow, dude! You do your thing and you don't worry about what anyone else is doing or if there's a prize on the end. Don't be afraid to jump in the fray sometimes, though. Fun competition can be healthy!