Sick of Vampires? So is Stephenie

by Brittany Geragotelis

I don't know about you, but I've been sick of The Twilight phenomenon pretty much since it started. It's not that I don't like vampires...Hello? My favorite show of all-time is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." I just like a little creativity and substance with my fang-friendly creatures. Despite their popularity, I just never felt like I got that with Twilight or shows like True Blood.

And honestly, I always thought it was a bit of a cop-out that after Twilight became the "It" book series, that everyone jumped on the vamp bandwagon. Come on, everyone...is it impossible to come up with the next big thing, without riding on the coattails of the current obsession?

Okay, rant over now. Apparently Twilight author, Stephenie Meyer, is officially sick of the pale characters herself. So much in fact that she's balking on writing the much-anticipated companion book to the series called Midnight Sun. Midnight Sun is supposed to be Twilight told from the perspective of Edward Cullen. As much as her fans are itching for another book, Stephenie is feeling a bit vamped-out.

“I know that’s what everyone cares about,” the New York Times quoted Meyer as telling bloggers who met her personally. “I also know that the right answer would be for me to say, ‘Oh yeah, it’s done! And it’ll be out next month!’ But that’s not true. What’s true is that I’m really burned out on vampires. And I don’t want to write it badly,” she said.

“I want to wait until I’m excited about the material again, and I’m excited about Edward, and that it’s something that’s motivating. You know, when a story is keeping me up at night, and I’m waking up at four in the morning and thinking ‘Yes! That is what is what should happen in this moment!’

“So right now it feels like homework, it really does. And when things feel like homework they go very, very slowly for me. You know, I have my share of human stubbornness and I have to tell you, it’s a little bit hard when people are like, ‘This is the only thing you can do, and it’s the only thing we care about!’ And, you’re kind of like a 3-year-old, you want to be like ‘I’m gonna do what I wanna do!’ Yeah. ‘You’re not the boss of me!’” she added.

Waiting until people aren't sick of vampires again? Hey, that's fine with me. In the meantime, what do you think will be the next big obsession? Witches? Werewolves? Zombies? Leave your guesses in the comments below!

5x5,
B.

Ways to survive (and enjoy) a family vacation.

by Brittany Geragotelis

There was a point growing up when I went from loving my summer vacations with my family to resenting them. I hated the fact that I was being pulled away from my friends for a week and being forced to hang out with my parents and sisters. I was convinced that my BFF's were all having so much more fun than I was and I was going to be missing out on something big back home while I was away. Because of this, I insisted on complaining and scowling the whole beginning of the trip, trying to make everyone around me just as miserable as I was.

What ended up happening was that I eventually got over myself and actually had fun--although I never would've admitted it to my parents (Check out the pic here for proof...can you find me?). So, if you're headed away for your family vaca, why not cut out the teen angst and get right to having fun? Here are a few ways to have a good time right from the start and maximize your enjoyment while you're away...because the truth is, whether you complain or not, you're stuck going. Might as well enjoy it.

1. Be pleasant and get what you want. Like I said, you're stuck on this vacation, so arguing about it is pretty much pointless. If you have a good attitude from the beginning, your parents are more likely to say "yes" when you ask whether you can have desert for breakfast, go play mini-golf with your siblings or stay up an extra hour to finish the movie you've been dying to watch.

2. Go on an adventure. Whether you're at the beach, in the woods camping, at an amusement park or visiting family in another state, there are always opportunities for adventure. Look for buried treasure, search for the perfect pair of sunglasses, find your summer crush, or simply seek out your secret hideaway. Whatever you choose to do, will get your adrenaline pumping and leave you feeling excited and happy.

3. Try something new. Make it a point every day to try something you haven't before. Whether it's a new food (chocolate banana cake, anyone?) or waking up at sunrise to watch the view, venturing into the unknown will keep you on your toes and open your eyes to fun and exciting experiences.

4. Make new friends. No matter where you end up, chances are there are other kids your age bored and looking for something to do. This is the perfect time to get to know your neighbors and possibly make a new friend. Not only does this mean more fun for you while you're away, but it allows you to go home with a new Facebook friend.

5. Enjoy the food. Vacation has a way of making people indulge. And this can be great for you, because you'll end up reaping the rewards. Desert every night? Yes, please. Steak instead of burgers? Mmmm! Cool watermelon, smooth ice cream and heaps of french fries...Vacation's not a time to diet and since you're away from home, your regular meals don't apply. Enjoy the food free-for-all before heading back to more healthy fare.

6. Sit back and relax. You can do this on the beach while you're getting a tan, or on the porch in a hammock while reading a book. Whatever you choose, make sure to schedule in some down-time in between all the fun activities you've set to do. It's never fun heading back home feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.

7. Leave your cell in your room. I know this one's hard to do, and you're probably thinking, "Is this girl crazy?!?!" But trust me...the world's not going to end if you give yourself a few hours sans phone and computer. Truly allow yourself to unwind and enjoy the carefree atmosphere--free from drama, responsibility and stress--by turning all your electronics to "Off" for a few hours each day. Chances are, when you power back on later, you'll realize that no one but you knew that you were even gone.

5x5,

B.

Book Review: The Carrie Diaries

by Brittany Geragotelis

I don't know about you, but I was a fan of Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell without even reading it...and this was mostly because I was already such a huge fan of the show. And if the show was based on the book, then how could I not like it? (I have to admit here that I still haven't read the book...I know, what kind of book nerd am I, choosing a TV show over the original creation?)

But I have read One Fifth Avenue, rich with its multiple plots and interesting, well thought out characters. So, I was beyond psyched when I heard that not only was Candace making a prequel to SATC, but it was going to be YA! I really love the idea of when authors either do prequels to famous books or decide to create new books based on secondary characters in their already popular books. It's so interesting to see how deeply they delve into the lives of these creations.

Needless to say, I was so excited to read The Carrie Diaries by the time it came out. And I wasn't disappointed. The book itself was a fun tale of teen angst, and although a YA novel, it was ripe with sex and love and friendship. I loved how Candace showed the origin of Carrie and her little quirks and passions: Her foray into smoking, trouble in relationships, her love for writing and deciding she wants to be a writer, her "Carrie" purse and her draw toward New York City. The only complaint I had was that I had a tough time picturing the character as the Carrie we know and love. She just didn't seem the same to me. But in a way, this is almost OK, since we're hoping that by the time the character gets to the grown-up Carrie, that she's done just that: grown up. Her experiences as a teen and young woman should all lend to who she becomes...and through The Carrie Diaries, we're getting the unique opportunity to watch her be shaped as a person. So, in the end, the differences in character didn't bother me all that much.

And as a die-hard SATC fan, I especially loved how Candace had Carrie and Samantha meet at the end of this first book. It was like watching stars collide: totally meant to be. I for one, can't wait for the next book (which I hear she's officially set to write!).

Here's a synopsis of The Carrie Diaries:

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseperable. Then, Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friends betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impressions her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

If you haven't already, head to Barnes & Noble and pick up a copy today!

5x5,

B.

Is MTV the new Cupid?

by Brittany Geragotelis

When have you ever heard of a couple meeting on a reality show and actually staying together? Neither had I...until I discovered something truly shocking about my newest co-worker, Jess.

Now, I've known Jess for several months now, but we've never really sat down and had a serious girl talk. You know, about her hopes and dreams, her most embarrassing moments, her biggest secrets and fears or even about her relationships. I knew that Jess was dating someone and had been for over a year and a half. That was about the extent to my knowledge about him, though. Until we were at a diner the other day brainstorming for our annual edit calendar, and Jess dropped the bomb that she met her boyfriend on a reality show!

I know! I was as shocked as you are!

But it's true. Jess's sorority sponsored an event one night and MTV was there, looking to cast a bunch of their reality shows. On a whim, Jess signed up...and they called her in! She went through a few rounds of meetings with MTV and interviewing with them, and they liked her so much (I mean, come on, how could you not like Jess? She's seriously the cutest, sweetest, coolest girl around!) that they showed up at her house one day and basically kidnapped her for the show, "Room Raiders: 2.0."

If you're like me and don't watch reality TV (or MTV's reality TV, that is), "Room Raiders" takes one guy (or one girl) and lets him/her raid the rooms of three elegible bachelorettes (or bachelors), and then choose between the three based on what he finds in their rooms. In the end, Jess' room won, and she won the guy!

But the surprising thing is that they're still together today. In a way, the fact that they met on TV means that they have a video record of the first time they met. How many of the rest of us can say the same thing?

Anyway, take a look at the episode and you can watch love bloom...now that's reality!

Beach Boogie Boogaloo

by Brittany Geragotelis

Tonight after work, I'm leaving NYC behind and heading to Ocean City, MD for a week+ of fun in the sun. And to be honest, this getaway couldn't have come at a better time...I am in serious need of a week off to refresh, reboot...and get my tan on!

I'm already making a mental list of everything I plan on doing on my vacation. Here it is (in no particular order.):

1. Work on my tan—After the longest winter known to man (okay, so maybe just known to me), I am desperately needing to exchange my pasty white skin for a hue a few shades darker. With that sun-kissed look that only a week on the beach can bring, I can look forward to clearer skin, a leaner look and not having to wear much makeup. Oh, and the feeling of heat on my skin? Is there anything better?

2. Read my magazines—I have no less than 15 magazines that I've managed to let pile up over the past couple of months and they're all currently sitting in the bottom of one of my bags. Actually, all that bag holds is magazines. It's my plan to sit on the beach, day after day, hour after hour and catch up on everything I've missed. Can't wait!

3. Stuff my face—For the last three weeks, I've been on a healthy-eating diet. It's consisted mostly of chicken, brown rice and vegetables and I've even given up deserts and junk food, too, so that I'll look like this in my swimsuit (or at least feel like I look like her). So, in Ocean City, I will be eating Boardwalk fries, ice cream, sandwiches, waffles, bagles, cookies, etc. And if I come back 5 pounds heavier? Well, at least I'll come back happy...

4. Relax—I'm hoping that the above things will help me to do this. We don't have any concrete plans set for while we're down there, so we'll be able to really achieve relaxation. I'll get lots of sleep, lazy around in the sun and take mid-afternoon cat naps. And most importantly, leave the stress of the real world behind.

5. Walk on the beach—In the morning. Maybe in the afternoon. Even nighttime is a fine time for a walk on the beach. Whether I'm quietly reflecting, hand-in-hand with Matt or gabbing with Matt's mom or cousin, I'll be happy and barefoot.

So, that's what I'll be doing. What will you all be doing this next week?

5x5,

B.

Hell, yeah!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Take a look at who I'm interviewing today!!! Yep....that's miss Ashley Tisdale! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time to be talking to her again. I hope the call goes well and I'm able to get all my questions in...she's filming a movie in Vancouver and she's taking some time out of her busy shooting schedule to talk to me. Woo hoo!

Just took a look at the extended show trailer for "Hellcats" and I've gotta say, besides a few cheesy parts, it looks absolutely delicious. Take a peek here!

Wish me luck!

5x5,

B.

EDIT NOTE: Just talked to Ashley and she is SOOO sweet. A perfect interview, so friendly and had great things to say about cheerleading. She even talked to me briefly about dating. Love her! You're going to have to stay tuned to our next issue to read the whole thing! So giddy right now!

Is a woman's power in her hair?

by Brittany Geragotelis

The other day, I was looking at myself in the mirror (this is easy to do when one of your walls is floor to ceiling mirrors) and got the idea that it might be time to cut off all my hair again. I asked my boyfriend, Matt, what he thought about it and he said, "I think that would be a great idea, babe." I looked at him, a bit surprised by his response. "You do?" I asked. "Sure," he said. "I think it's a great idea...if you don't want to have a boyfriend anymore."

Of course he was kidding, but I started to think about the power of hair. I've had my hair all different lengths over the years: really short (think pixie flip), chin-length bob, shoulder-length with layers, long and blunt. Right now, it's long with layers. Now, I love the idea of my long hair...I like what other women do with their long hair and wish I could do the same. However, my hair tends to end up up in a bun, ponytail or claw clip about 90% of the time. And that makes me wonder why I even have it long if I'm just going to pull it up every day. In fact, I tend to style my hair a lot more often when it's short than when it's down to my butt.

I'm in the middle of watching the series, "Ally McBeal" on DVD (side note: is there anything better than watching a show 10 years after the first time you watched it? It's incredible. You already know from the first time you watched it that you like it, but you've forgotten all the specifics, so it's like watching it again for the first time!) and Portia DeRossi's character, Nell, is this ice-queen, uber smart, hard-assed lawyer. And every time she lets down her long, luscious locks, people around her become tongue-tied, brain-dead, incompetant idiots. It's like her secret weapon.

And if the past is any indication, guys tend to vote on the side of long hair. I remember, when I first started talking to Matt, I'd recently gone through a break-up and told him I was going to cut off all my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. He was very against this idea and tried to convince me not to do it. Of course, feeling the need to cut my past off at the roots, I cut it anyway and sent it off to benefit someone else. The next time Matt saw me, he shook his head at me and gave me a "what did you do?!?!" look.

Despite the fact that my hair was short (but totally cute), Matt was able to see past his preference for long hair and asked for my number anyway. And now, two and a half years later, we're still going strong. So, the question is, is all our power really in our hair or is it in what's underneath the coif? I'm still not sure what the answer is, so for now, the hair remains long. But you never know...I always have the power to change my mind.

5x5,

B.

Colleen: Super Mom

by Brittany Geragotelis

My friend Colleen and I worked together at cheerleader for several years before she decided to move upstate. We were really close; sort of went through our young, single and fun in NYC phase together. When Coll told me that she was moving away with her then boyfriend, Donny, I was sad to see her go and worried that since she was beginning a new phase in her adult life that I wouldn't fit into, and that we'd grow apart.

But the exact opposite ended up happening. Her moving away actually brought us closer. And my fears that we wouldn't have anything to talk about now that our lives weren't on the same track were put to rest when I realized that she wasn't going to change just because she had a baby (hi Sailor!), got married (to Donny, Woo Hoo!), and then had baby #2 (hi Beckett!!!).

Colleen is an anomaly. Yes, she has kids. Yes, she's a busy and dedicated mom. Yes, she's a wife and holds down the house. But she's still managed to stay Colleen. When we talk, it's not all about the kids and husband (although we do talk about them, too). She likes to talk about what happened on "The Real Housewives" and what Lindsay Lohan did this week. She loves to read and write and calls every time she hears about something involving the cheer world (once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader, right?). And most appreciated is that she never makes me feel weird because I'm not married with kids. We can still relate to each other and enjoy each other's company no matter where either of us are in our lives.

We may not talk as often as we used to, but let's be honest, we're both really busy. But no matter how swamped we are, we always call to catch up at least once a week. In short, Colleen amazes me. She's an incredible mother, wife and friend. She truly does it all...and always with a smile on her face. Coll makes it look easy. But most of all, she's retained her identity as her life has expanded to include a family. Not a lot of people can do this, and I'm so grateful to have her in my life.

I went up to Greenwich, CT, this weekend to visit Coll and see her brand new baby boy, Beckett William Wood-Smith. He's so cute and tiny and I got to get in my baby fix for a few hours. And even with her hands full with two babies, she managed to still be an incredible hostess. Coll is truly a Super Mom!

Take a look at some of the first pics of little Beckett! How adorable is he? Seriously!

Book Bites

by Brittany Geragotelis

Just a few book news bites to tide you over on this beautiful (in NYC at least) saturday!

Candace Bushnell has announced two new books that will be published in 2011 and 2012. I'm in the middle of reading The Carrie Diaries right now, and it's fun so far. Interesting though, because I don't really associate the character as being the same Carrie that's in "Sex and the City." But still, excited to hear the news!

Introducing agent/author Sloane Crosley. Okay, so maybe you already know who this publishing powerhouse is, but I hadn't heard of her before now. I've gotta say though, after reading this Q&A with her, I'm definitely going to pick up her latest book. Powerful woman, agent maven, celebrated author AND she's funny? Sign me up!

5x5,

B.

Friday Likes and Gripes: June 18, 2010

by Brittany Geragotelis

Time for my weekly Likes and Gripes. So, here they are:

LIKES:

1. The story of how Walt Disney chose to build Disney World in Florida. Doing a little research for my trip to Disney World in September! So sad that Walt died before he was able to see the magical place he created.

2. It's baby time. I'm heading up to Greenwich, CT, on Saturday to visit my good friend, Colleen. Coll used to work with me at cheerleader, and people think we're sisters whenever we're together. Not that we totally look alike or anything...we just happen to be short and white. Anyways, Coll just had baby #2 a few weeks ago and Matt and I are driving up to meet her new son, Beckett William Wood-Smith (and to play with her daughter, Sailor, too, of course)! They're both adorable (don't believe me, look at the pic) and I can't wait to hang out with the whole Wood-Smith fam!

3. Dating...but only, when it's not me. My friend "Betty" had her first date with "James" last night. I've been a giggly girly girl the past few weeks as I've been watching this possible romance blossom. I love it when people are at the beginning of a relationship...dating and getting to know each other. Everything's so exciting and hopeful. That is, I love it just as long as it's not ME doing the dating. The process of dating has always made me uncomfortable (I'm not talking about being in a relationship, just the beginning, going out on dates part)...I even insisted on wearing sweats on my first date with Matt, because I thought that if I wasn't dressed up, it wouldn't feel like a date-date. Silly, right? With that said, I've thoroughly loved watching this love story develop.

4. Glutamonnan. I started taking this dietary fiber pill a little over a week ago. It's supposed to help make you regular, help with cholesterol and weight loss. At first my system was NOT liking it, but now I think it's getting used to it (is that too much info?). I can't really tell if it's doing anything yet, so I'll give it a few more weeks before making any conclusions. Matt started taking it a few weeks ago and he's already lost 7 pounds!

5. Ashley Tisdale. I officially scored getting Ashley Tisdale on our next cover. She's the star of the upcoming CW show, "Hellcats," and plays a college cheerleader on it. This will be my third time interviewing Ashley. Wanna know a secret? I was the first person to EVER interview her for a magazine! Pretty cool, huh?!

GRIPES:

1. The U.S. Post Office. To make a long story short, I showed up at the post office 20 minutes before closing, to mail something overnight the other day, only to be told by a security guard that they stop taking customers a half-hour before closing time. I then had to walk all the way to the main post office in NYC, where a worker proceeded to tell me all the things I'd done wrong in sending my package. Then yesterday, I went along with my boss to send a package out and the guy behind the counter acted SO put out that he had to get a small box for her. The boxes were like, six feet away! Do all post office employees have to sign a contract saying they'll be nasty to their customers? I don't think I've ever met a nice one yet....

2. New Fall Shows. I've started to watch all the new TV pilots for the Fall (yep, one of the perks of my job!)...and I gotta say, I'm a little disappointed. Now, I've only seen Fox and NBC's so far (The CW is on its way), but there's not a single one that I would set my DVR to tape. There was ONE show on Fox that was pretty funny, starring Roy from "The Office," but it's a mid-season replacement and who knows when it'll start. Ugh. I don't have high hopes for next year's TV.

5x5,

B.

10 things I learned from a famous psychic

by Brittany Geragotelis

I just finished reading the book Don't Kiss Them Good-Bye by Allison DuBois. And not the TV version who helps the cops catch killers on the wildly popular show, "Medium." I'm talking about the real Allison DuBois—the one that the show is actually based on.

Yep, "Medium" is based on a real woman named Allison DuBois, who is a medium and psychic, lives and grew up in Arizona and is a jury consultant for the district attorney's office. She also has a husband named Joe who's a rocket scientist and three daughters who all have shown psychic abilities.

In Don't Kiss Them Good-Bye, Allison lets readers in on her daily life: what it's like to be a psychic, what we should know about the dead, how parents can help their kids develop their own special abilities. Now, I'm totally open to psychics and believe that there are people out there who are more intuitive than others. I can't presume to know everything that exists in the universe, so I choose to keep my mind open to all possibilities, and the idea that there are those who can see the future, talk to those who have passed...well, just the thought intrigues me. So, what did I learn from the real Mrs. Allison DuBois? Take a look:

1. There's a reason you attract the wrong people. "I felt as if I sometimes attracted people who had bad energy. Dark entities are naturally attracted to light and will try to manipulate it. A dark entity can see a light entity from a mile away."

2. You can't stop death. "I knew that my dad was going to pass and I knew the cause. Trust me, I did everything to prevent it, but found out it had not been in my hands; it never had been. When someone's number is up, it's up."

3. You may not be "just seeing things." "Sometimes I thought I was hallucinating. I could see faded human figures standing next to people. I was overloaded by the other side and I didn't even know it."

4. Don't ignore the voice in the back of your mind saying to run. "I know in my heart that if I had stayed put even thirty seconds longer, I would have been pulled through the window of that car and been a victim of a violent crime. I also know that because I listened to that powerful, authoratative voice on that hot afternoon in 1983, I am here to share my life story with my readers. I listened and I survived. Listen to your guides, whether you feel they are angels, family members on the other side, or simply guardians. They try to guide us through life safely and successfully, so pay attention to them. Don't dismiss them. Don't question whether they are really there—they are."

5. There is a reason for the madness. "Sometimes it's not in the grand plan that profilers ever find the murder victim. Sometimes others' lives are supposed to be affected by the discovery of a body—for instance, a hiker may be meant to stumble upon someone's remains."

6. Work on keeping a childlike mind. "Children are easier for spirits to access than adults are. Adults have issues and emotional walls built up that can make it difficult for a spirit to come through to them. Often a spirit has whispered messages or tried to be seen by a loved one, only to be dismissed. We have to realize as human beings that sometimes something bigger than us can call the shots. Feel loved and connected and try not to get bogged down in the whys, because eventually we all receive the answers to our questions."

7. Go with your gut. "Encourage your kids to trust their first instincts and the original information received. They shouldn't alter the information by mixing in preconceived notions."

8. Your feelings of overstimulation may not be social anxiety. "My oldest daughter occasionally comes to me and says that she feels crowded. By this I know she means that she is experiencing strong spirit activity and is feeling the people she sometimes can't see. Sensitive people (those who are extremely empathetic or feel other people's energy around them) sometimes feel bombarded by too many energies at once. This type of thing can happen to anyone. Most people have had the experience of standing next to someone and for no apparent reason being repelled, not by the person's appearance, but by a feeling that they get from him or her."

9. It really is about the vibes you get from people. "People are drawn to others who seem to have an approachable energy or an energy similar to theirs. People have their own individual energies and, like personalities, these energies vary. What one person finds attractive, another person might find repellent. The more people are clustered around you, the more variations of energy you take in."

10. Maybe your friend isn't the party girl you think she is. "For me, alcohol would temporarily soften the voices from the other side. If I had a beer in my hand, nobody thought twice when I laughed to myself in a solitary conversation. Of course, it wasn't really a one-way conversation, because I was never truly alone."

5x5,

B.

A Match Made in Manhattan

by Brittany Geragotelis

Couples meet in all sorts of ways: online dating sites, museums, at a bar, blind dates, at the movies, out shopping. My boyfriend and I met at a diner. The point is, you never know when or how you're going to meet a person you might connect with. The universe is funny like that.

So, for those of you who are romantics at heart, are waiting to meet "the one" or just plain love a good story, this one's for you.

About two weeks ago, a security guard in the building where I work, stopped my boss on her way into the office, asking her if she was married. He told her not to worry, it wasn't because he was interested. See, he has a stepson who is a really great guy, smart, funny, great job and single. The guard explained that his stepson always dated girls that weren't right for him and all he wanted was for him to find a sweet girl like my boss. She was flattered, and told him that she was married, but that she had a few single friends and co-workers who might be interested. So, the guard gave my boss two pictures of his step-son (let's call him "James") and told her to pass them along to anyone she thought may be a good fit.

Our boss came in and told us all the story, and passed around the pictures...and surprisingly, the guy was totally cute! In one of the pics he was in uniform (he's an officer for the NY supreme court) and in the other, he was holding a cat (showing that he loves animals). He was a good-looking guy, around 30, had a great smile and a friendly face. As soon as I saw him and realized he wasn't a weirdo freak (be honest, you thought he might be too, didn't you!), I instantly thought he might be a great match for one of my girlfriends (let's call her Betty).

So, I took the pictures to Betty and told her the whole story. Being the open-minded, fun and adventurous person she is, she was game for being set up with the guy. And once I had the go-ahead, I made a collage of photos of Betty, included her contact information (and the note: "She's really great; you should definitely call her!") and passed it along to the guard to give to James.

Well, guess what? He e-mailed her just a few days later! And the message was totally cute! He was funny, outgoing, sweet and interested in getting to know her. They e-mailed a few times, and then he gave her a call. Last night they even talked for 2 1/2 hours on the phone! So, things are looking good so far....

The two of them have made plans to have their first date this Thursday...something totally low-key and fun, so they don't have to deal with the drama first dates can often bring. Betty's excited and from what I've heard, James is psyched too. I'm crossing my fingers that there's a love connection here, but even if there isn't, it's one heck of a story!

5x5,
B.

P.S. How did you meet your significant other? Got any cool stories to share?

Wise words from "Friends"

by Brittany Geragotelis

If you know me, you know that I watch a lot of TV. Seriously, a LOT of TV. Sometimes people are shocked that I manage to find time to write books, blog, read books and have a social life while watching as much television as I do. Shows have the power to impact my mood. They have the power to inspire, the power to give us strength. They have the power to teach us lessons about life.

So, given my penchant for television watching, it's not surprising that I've learned a lot from TV shows over the years. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. "Friends": There's no such thing as an unselfish good deed. Joey said this to Phoebe and she set off on a mission to find an unselfish good deed. And what did she find? It doesn't exist. Truth is, in the end if no one even knows that you've done something good for someone/something else, you still feel good about doing it, right? That's selfish. At least it's selfish for all the right reasons.

2. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer": Leave a positive impact on the world. Sure, she kills vampires and demons and witches (Oh my!), but the idea that here's this girl who helps to save the world on a daily basis is a very attractive thought to me. I think that everyone wants to know they're on this world for a reason and that when their time is up, the world's a better place because they lived. Every day I ask myself, am I doing something that could impact the world around me in a positive way. If I'm not, I know it's time to do something about that.

3. "Veronica Mars": Take the obstacles in your life and turn them into positives. Veronica was roofied and raped at a party, her BFF was murdered and all her friends turned against her...so, what does she do? Well, she doesn't shut down or turn to mind-altering substances to help her forget it all. She gets sassy, starts working with her father at his private investigation company and makes it her mission to find out the truth about everything that turned her life upside down. Because of this, she ends up helping countless people around her, finds her friend's killer and makes lifelong friends. I find strength in characters like Veronica who don't stay down when life tosses them to the ground.

4. "Dexter": Nobody's who they seem to be. On the outside, Dexter seems like a caring brother, husband, father, friend...but on the inside, he craves violence and murder, which he lets loose on criminals that the system has failed to send to jail. Just because a person you've just met seems nice and normal and you swear they'd never hurt a fly, doesn't make it so. Er on the side of paranoid when it comes to letting your guard down too soon around strangers. Better to take your time getting to know someone than ending up the part of your own E! Hollywood Story.

5. "Glee": Everybody feels like a geek sometimes. Whether you're the pretty girl or the captain of the dork brigade it's inevitable that you're going to have at least one sucky day. A day when you're picked on, feel less than fabulous, and like life will never go your way. Some of us have more than one of these days (mine was all of high school). But the truth is, everyone's too busy just trying to survive to pay attention to your misery. In the meantime, you have to find something that makes you feel like a winner, like you belong, like you're contributing to something bigger than just how popular you are to other people.

6. "House": It's never Lupus. Except for when it is. There are millions of health problems you could have right now...brain tumor, heart murmur, Huntington's Disease, lead poisoning. These are just a handful of what could fit whatever symptoms you have right this second. And there are a million different ways we could die. But if you're lucky enough to have a nasty, angry, bitter, genius doctor like House, someone just might figure out what it is before you kick the bucket.

7. "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood": Relationships take work—but that doesn't mean they're doomed. Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott fell in love with each other (while they were both still married to other people) and vowed never to change the way they were together. Four years and two kids later, the SO IN LOVE duo hit a rough patch and spent a few rocky months trying to get back to the way they'd been at the beginning of their relationship. But instead of shutting down completely, the couple spent time talking it out and figured out what they needed to work on as individuals, to make the relationship better. The work on their relationship paid off, because they just renewed their vows and seem to be back on track!

What have you learned from your favorite shows? Leave your comments and wisdom above!

5x5,

B.