College dating – it’s an interesting topic. I’ve noticed five major types of college daters over the years:

1. The happily tied-down individual with a sweetheart/significant other – they do everything together;
2. The swinging single  (includes intense cheaters) who is out on the prowl (yes,  just wants to bang, bang, bang);
3. The lonely soul who just wants to find love (or perhaps sex);
4. The recent break-up victim who constantly hooks-up to feel desirable again, but just can’t let go;
5. And the virgin. Enough said.

What type of college dater are you, or have you been? Some of us have been more than one of the above. Are there other types of daters out there? If so, please describe them.

If you are trying to switch from one type to another, say #5 to #2, here’s what most do but shouldn’t do:
Get wicked drunk and hit on a girl who is completely trashed. Drinking definitely takes some of the edge off, eliminates some of those nerves, but this is not the right choice, even if the sex has potential to feel awesome. Why? Because of that slippery word “consent.” If the girl is hammered and she doesn’t consent, it’s rape. Even if she seems totally into it, she can charge you with rape (or vice versa, because girls can rape guys, too). Or perhaps she does consent, but then she regrets in the next morning – then what happens? Sexual assault is a huge obstacle when drunk sex occurs.
Try asking for consent if this is the case; don’t be embarassed. It will work out for the better this way – whether you get laid or not.

Although it does not seem to happen a lot, you should try to meet a girl or guy the old fashioned – maybe high school – way. Approach that person, face-t0-face, or with a friend as support, and just introduce yourself. Use observation to strike up a conversation that does not seem intruding. The worse that can happen – rejection. And then you just get over it because you didn’t know the person that well in the first place.
Here’s some ways to casually converse…
1. If the person is wearing a sports jersey, you can comment on a recent or upcoming game, or the player whose jersey is being sported;
2. If you have mutual friends but haven’t been introduced, use that pathway;
3. If you’re in line at Res you can comment on how terrible the food is – or perhaps it’s good that day!;
4. If you have class with that person, bingo, talk about a past or upcoming test, assignment, etc.;
5. If you’re at the gym – tread lightly as some people prefer not to be bothered when they’re in the zone – you can talk about a work-out, ask what that person suggests for daily cardio, or even let that person have a drink at the water fountain before you (who says chivalry doesn’t work?).
 
Obviously there are hundreds of more ways to introduce yourself to someone. What are your suggestions? What has worked for you and what has failed? Share your stories, and your tips!

A suggestion I have for you, after ruminating all my failures, once you find out the person’s name, check if that person is in a relationship – you can do this on Facebook without being creepy, in case you’re too shy to ask. I’ve had plenty of guys introduce themselves to me, and a few cute ones, so I’d think of them as a potential date or hook-up. Come to find out, after being added on Facebook by them or scoping out their page, they’re in a relationship. Save yourself the embarassment of putting forth too much effort -

Good luck!

Love, Shara Marie

SAVE 10 DOLLARS, HELP STOP RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN’S “THE LAST AIRBENDER” WHITEWASHES ASIAN AND INUIT CHARACTERS
Just a few decades ago, in the golden days of old Hollywood, for many directors, screenwriters, and many others in the movie industry, yellowface was their bread and butter. Never heard of “yellowface”? In short, it is the Asian equivalent of blackface, which was seen most often in minstrel shows (comic and exaggerated performances by white actors who painted their faces black, beginning in the 1830’s and lasting all the way to the 1960’s). If that doesn’t sound right to you, neither should this:

Perhaps you remember the “infamous Dr. FuManchu,” “the yellow peril”? His many movies and TV shows were immensely popular. They also featured white actors (Warner Oland, Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, etc.) who wore prosthetics and makeup to make them appear Asian. This same practice was repeated for decades, even in roles that did not seek to mock or villanize images of Asian characters.
Doesn’t this beg the question, why not simply hire Asian actors in the first place?
Unfortunately, even today, in 2009, we have not yet seen the end of racial discrimination and even yellowface in Hollywood.
2005. The animated TV show Avatar: The Last Airbender aired on Nickelodeon. The show featured heavy cultural and ideological influences from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Inuit cultures, and also incorporated Chinese martial arts and Hindu and Buddist philosophies. Originally aimed at young boys, Avatar’s careful research and sensitive portrayals of its Asian and Inuit heroes made it wildly popular among adults and children alike worldwide.

2008. Director M. Night Shyamalan, who had purchased the rights to make a live-action film version of Avatar, announced his cast of heroes. In his version, known officially as “The Last Airbender,” and set for release in 2010, the Inuit brother and sister Sokka and Katara, will each be played by white actors (Jackson Rathbone and Nicola Peltz, respectively). Aang, the titular “Avatar,” whose clothing, philosophy, and entire culture is based upon Tibetan Buddhism, will be played by a 12 year-old Caucasian boy from Texas, Noah Ringer. Put simply, this is WHITEWASHING.
Originally, the part of antagonist Prince Zuko was given to blonde, blue-eyed popstar Jesse McCartney, though that decision was later revised due to McCartney’s “scheduling conflicts.” Instead, the role was given to Indian Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel. The choice, however, does not excuse Paramount Pictures of blame. Following Patel’s casting, they promptly cast several other Indian, and Iranian actors to play key roles in the villanous Fire Nation. The problem with this?

Paramount has given race a priority in the story in a way it was never meant to be. They have created a situation wherein GOOD WHITE HEROES must overcome their EVIL BROWN FOES.
This is not right.
It’s time we gave children of racial minorities heroes that look like they do.
We don’t want ever want to see this on the screen again:

(Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961))
“If you’re Korean, wear a kimono. If you’re from Belgium, wear lederhosen.” – DeeDee Ricketts, casting director of “The Last Airbender”
Don’t support racial discrimination.
PLEASE BOYCOTT “THE LAST AIRBENDER”!
Please visit http://racebending.com for more information!
Sign the boycott petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/racebend/

We as students have enough bills to pay, let alone having to buy new software for your new computer. You could go the frugal route and use the computers offered by the school, but that’s a huge inconvience and you won’t be able to work on your paper at 3AM the day its due. Fortunately most companies offer huge discounts to students, even better then the discounts you can find in the school store. Most companies would love to give away the software to students for free; but can’t due to antitrust issues, after all you are the workers of tomorrow. Here is a short list of software to keep more cash in your wallet.

• Microsoft Office 2007 – Available for $59.95 directrly from the Microsoft program The Ultimate Steal
  
• Windows 7 (Not released until late October 2009) – Available for $30 directly from Microsoft
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 – Available for $199.00 (100$ less than our own campus store :shakes angry fist:) for both Windows and Mac

You may also be able to get free, yes completely free software depending on your major as well. Engineering majors often have access to the MSDNAA program which allows most Microsoft products (Windows, Visual Studio etc..) for 0$. Ask your faculty if any of these programs exist for you to utilize.

This is just a short summary of what you can leverage with just being a student. Don’t take somebodys word for it when they say they offer the best deal on an item, use your brain and shop around, I can gurantee you that can save hundreds of dollars just by being a smart shopper.