dating and technology

Geeky Valentine's Day Date Ideas
dating and technology

50 Geeky Date Ideas For Valentine's Day (and Beyond)

Coming up short for Valentine's Day date ideas?

Coming up short for Valentine's Day date ideas? If you and your sweetheart are more of the geeky persuasion, simply hitting up an overpriced restaurant just won't cut it. We brainstormed 50 date ideas that incorporate science, tech, and video games, for a special Valentine's eve. But don't limit yourself — tackle these date ideas all year!

  1. Bundle up, pack a dinner picnic, and head to the park for some stargazing.
  2. Watch Contact (for the millionth time).
  3. Go to a science museum.
  4. Hit the natural history museum and check out your favorite dino bones.
  5. Go retro — grab a roll of quarters, a slice or two, and hit the pizza parlor arcade.
  6. Build your own planetarium with glow-in-the-dark stickers.
  7. Catch up with the Doctor Who craze by watching the series from the beginning.
  8. Throw a Star Wars party for two.
  9. Whip up a batch of Cloud 9 mojitos (complete with mason jar glasses) and have a Battlestar Galactica marathon.
  10. Visit Nerdy Day Trips and find geeky stuff to do near you.
  11. Go to the planetarium.
  12. Take a dream vacay to the Hobbit Hotel in New Zealand.
  13. Spend a few romantic nights in the Hobbit House of Montana.
  14. Visit the actual Lord of the Rings movie set.
  15. Travel to the Chott el Djerid salt lakes in Tunisia, which were transformed into Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine.

See the rest of the list after the break!

Long Distance Relationship iPhone Apps
Valentine's Day

5 Apps For a Long-Distance Romance

When you're a long way from a special someone, how do you keep the romance alive?

When you're a long way from a special someone, how do you keep the romance alive? If cross-country phone calls are racking up bills, turn to these five apps designed for a more intimate network, making it easier to stay in touch with your significant other from hundreds of miles away.

  • Couple (Free) — This app's the quintessential choice for couples since you can only choose one other "pair" with whom you share a time line where you post video messages, photos, chat, share sketches, or voice messages. When you're online at the same time as your pair, you can — brace yourselves — ThumbKiss, a feature that prompts you to touch the screen exactly where your pair is, making both phones vibrate.
  • Path (Free) — If you've ever wanted a personal social network made up of just your friends, look no further than Path. This beautifully designed app was made to be shared among small groups of people, but it works just as well with a network of two. It's a great way to share your life with another person — where you ran on a Nike+ map, what music you're listening to, and when you're awake and asleep. Interact with your friend's activity with five different emotions (Smile, Laugh, Gasp, Frown, or Love). Your time line is private by default, but you can cross-post to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Foursquare at any time.
  • Skype (Free) — When you do need to call, video chat, or instant message, Skype is a great alternative to using up cell minutes. Your partner has to be signed up to Skype in order for the call to be free — otherwise, calling costs a small fee.
  • WhatsApp Messenger (Free) — WhatsApp is a cross-platform messenger that works across all smartphones. If, for example, you have an iPhone with iMessage and your significant other doesn't, you won't be able to send emoticons, but with WhatsApp, you can. Also send video, images, and voice notes — all for free!
  • Cartolina ($2) — For a message that's a little more thoughtful, use the Cartolina e-card app as an email or text message alternative. Cartolina comes with a collection of gorgeous, vintage-inspired "cartogram" designs to accompany your sweet missives. The app also syncs with your calendar, reminding you of birthdays or anniversaries.
    • Source: Instagram user emilycschneider
Sharing Passwords With a Spouse
digital culture

Do You Share Passwords With a Significant Other?

In a world of endless social media and endless ways to access information about someone online, is full digital transparency now required in a relationship?

In a world of endless social media and endless ways to access information about someone online, is full digital transparency now required in a relationship? In a recent survey by Match.com of 5,000 US singles and 1,000 married people, 50 percent of 20-something singles said they would share passwords with a partner. More interesting yet is that 56 percent of married people would not reveal a password to a spouse.

The number of singles willing to share what is arguably someone's most important piece of digital information drops significantly across age groups, with 41 percent of people in their 30s and 37 percent of those in their 40s confirming password sharing. Not that you'll put that password to constant use (we hope!) snooping on your sweetie's every email, "like," and comment online, but in cases of emergency, having someone else who can access vital information does come in handy.

Of course, there's the line of thinking that swapping passwords is a slippery slope to digital mistrust and jealousy. What's your take: Is learning someone's social-media or email password a 21st-century right of passage in a relationship? Or does it encroach on a partner's right to privacy?

Be Grateful You're Single This Thanksgiving
women

5 Reasons to Be Grateful You're Single at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday full of lots of family and friend time.


Thanksgiving is a holiday full of lots of family and friend time. With everyone's significant others around the table, you may have a moment or two where you're feeling a little bit of lack, or even lonely. When the question comes up, and it certainly will if you've got a family like mine, take a breather and give yourself a quick reminder. There are so many reasons to be grateful for the place that you're in today, regardless of whether you've got a beau on your arm or not. Here are five things to remember, and get grateful for, this Thanksgiving.

  1. Quality time with your people. It can be a little bit of a battle to figure out where the two of you will spend Thanksgiving. Instead of stressing about splitting the time evenly, all you have to worry about is spending quality time with your family and friends.
  2. Holiday movie marathons. While the Christmas movies are starting to pop up on TV, you know that Thanksgiving kicks off the endless supply of full-blown holiday movie marathons. No need to worry about missing back-to-back showings of A Christmas Story and Miracle on 34th Street while the boys are watching what seems like an endless supply of football.
  3. Pure freedom. You are the center of your world right now. You've got the privilege of coming and going as you please. There's plenty of time to consider someone else in your future, but right now focus on the abundance of options you have in your life today.
  4. Skip the drama, mama. No need to stress about your fam not getting along with your boyfriend, or not so secretly cringing when your brother embarrasses you in front of everyone. The only thing you've got to be worried about this holiday is getting first dibs on your favorite Thanksgiving foods.
  5. No settling for this girl! There's a reason you're not in a relationship right now, and it's because you're not looking for anyone, you're looking for the right person. You are awesome enough to recognize that. And that's something to be grateful for.
Reasons to Be Grateful You're in a Relationship
women

5 Reasons to Be Thankful You're in a Relationship

With Thanksgiving underway, you may be bugging about all of the family-filled time about to ensue.


With Thanksgiving underway, you may be bugging about all of the family-filled time about to ensue. Maybe your significant other has spent lots of time with your family in the past, or maybe this is his very first time hanging with everyone. Whether you're nervous, excited, or feeling a little ambivalent at this point, here are five reminders of why you should count your blessings that you're in a solid relationship.

  1. Quality time together. Holiday time off means you get to spend much-needed quality time together. No need to stress about the regular grind of the workweek. The two of you will have a shot to relax and enjoy each other.
  2. Tighten your bond. Meeting the family translates to things getting real. Spending the holidays together will only solidify the foundation of your relationship.
  3. Partner in crime. Since you're not flying solo, you won't need to worry about getting bored! Having your significant other at family holiday functions will only help keep you entertained (and get you out of those obligatory events you just can't handle.)
  4. Connecting faces to names. Maybe he's been talking about his crazy aunt and uncle for years, but you never were able to put the whole picture together. This holiday is a perfect opportunity to understand the whole landscape of his family situation.
  5. Help with the small talk. If you've got a family full of chatterboxes, the holidays can definitely be fun, but slightly exhausting. With your significant other by your side, you'll be able to share the load of the questions and conversation.

Why are you grateful you're in a relationship this Thanksgiving? Share your thoughts below!

Stalking an Ex on Facebook
digital culture

The Digital Ex: To Friend or Not to Friend?

Breakups are never easy, but when you're then forced to tiptoe around postrelationship social media etiquette, things can go from complicated to downright unhealthy.

Breakups are never easy, but when you're then forced to tiptoe around postrelationship social media etiquette, things can go from complicated to downright unhealthy. Once you've made the (right) decision to unfriend the ex, easy online stalking via mutual friends or open profile pages only keeps wounds open longer and, according to one study from Brunel University in the UK, makes — big surprise — moving on to a new relationship so much harder.

The study explains that watching an ex partner move on to what can look like greener pastures through social media lenses adds to levels of heartache related to the breakup, continues longing for the person, and even sabotages your personal postrelationship growth. At a time when you should be rediscovering yourself with new interests and life lessons, clicking through pictures of the ex's weekend getaway makes it feel like you're on the losing side.

As great as it would be to remain friends with a former flame, if it doesn't work out in the real world, it's unlikely the online version will fare any better. How do you handle a breakup in the online world?

London Date Ideas
dating and technology

London Date Ideas For a Summer Trip Across the Pond

With the Olympics kicking off tomorrow (not to mention the queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations last month), London is the place to be this year!
London Date Ideas For a Summer Trip Across the Pond

With the Olympics kicking off tomorrow (not to mention the queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations last month), London is the place to be this year! If you're taking a vacation across the pond, then we've got date ideas specific to the city that range from romantic to lighthearted, so you can enjoy the trip whether you're with your significant other or your traveling buddies. So for all our fellow Anglophiles, check out the where to go and what to do in London this Summer with our date idea roundup!

Have a Picnic by the Water in St. James's Park Enjoy a Street-Side Glass of Wine Stargaze at Big Ben Explore Westminster Abbey Make a Call in a Red Phonebooth Pose With the Queen's Guard Feed the Ducks at Hyde Park
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TheDatable Facebook Dating Service
dating and technology

TheDatable: Your Ultimate Wingman App

Single and wishing you could meet someone through friends — rather than, say, at a late-night pizza place?

Single and wishing you could meet someone through friends — rather than, say, at a late-night pizza place? Enter TheDatable, a service that helps you create a network of eligible singles through Facebook. The basic premise of the this online dating option is that since you're meeting through shared connections, you're more likely to have things in common with each match. Even better? There's a much lower chance of fake or embellished profiles, because you can turn to mutual friends as a reference.

After creating a profile through Facebook, you can adjust the privacy settings to limit its visibility. And don't worry — none of your dating activity will be shared on Facebook. Then, once you've signed up, you can browse through your friends list to tag eligible friends, and those friends will be invited to share their eligible friends. From there, it's just one big snowball effect.

To put things in perspective, if you tag 50 datable people and they each tag 50 too, then you'd have access to 2,500 eligible singles within two degrees of separation. Plus, you can tap your taken friends as a resource too; if you tag them as Wings, then they'll be able to tag their single friends and introduce them to one another (and you).

What do you think? Would you be interested in using TheDatable service?

How to Lose a Guy Forever
Advice

How to Lose a Guy . . . Forever

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project.

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Raymond Bechard discusses the trend of current relationships and the top 15 reasons why they just won't work out.

I was talking to a guy installing carpet in a friend's home the other day. For some reason, he asked my advice on whether or not he should have a surprise birthday party for his girlfriend. "She's hitting the big 4-0, so I don't know if she wants to celebrate it or ignore it," he said. That made sense, some people would rather not draw attention to birthdays ending in zeros. So I asked him a simple question, "Is she a positive person? You know, does she usually look on the bright side of things?"

His face immediately lit up as he reached for his phone. "Take a look at her face and you'll know." He held up the phone with the beaming photo of his girlfriend, who looked no more than 27, tops. As he showed me her picture, he said the five best words I have ever heard to describe a relationship that is working — at least from a man's perspective, "She makes every day better."

Should I Set Aside My Needs During My Girlfriend's Cancer Treatment?

It doesn't get any simpler than that. I've heard men talk about relationships and girlfriends, what they like and don't like, what they want and don't want, what drives them nuts, and even what hurts them. But, I've never heard it put better than those five words.

"She makes every day better." In all honesty, that is what every man wants. If he is fortunate enough to find a lady who understands that concept and loves him enough to stand by him — as he does with her — to make every day better, then he should move heaven and earth to spend the rest of his life with her and prove himself worthy.

It's too bad though. That kind of love doesn't seem to be in vogue these days. Today, relationships seem to have evolved into some kind of adversarial competition where every action or inaction is tallied in an unending scorecard leading to the eventual defeat — or death — of the relationship itself. It's no longer fashionable to look at romantic relationships as something precious, a beautiful organism that must be cherished if it is to thrive — or even survive — long term.

It's futile to fight this powerful trend. So ladies, in order to stay current, here are some guaranteed tips for losing a guy forever. By the way, these can be used by men as well, but that's another article for another day.

  1. Don't learn what emotional intimacy is. Forget what psychologist Malini Shah says, "Emotional intimacy is a feeling of close personal association and belonging. It's a familiar connect formed through shared knowledge of each other and experience." That would mean taking the time to find a man with whom you can build trust and be yourself. Worst of all it would mean not just accepting him for who he is, but celebrating who he is.
  2. Don't respect him. Even if he deserves your respect, do not, under any circumstances show him the kind of respect you want and need. Don't value him. Don't listen. Don't consider his priorities or concerns. Make sure he feels your life would be much better if he weren't in it. On the other hand, if he truly doesn't deserve your respect, leave him. Leave him now. And if he doesn't respect you then he doesn't deserve yours. Again, leave.
  3. Don't like him. Sure, you love him, but do you like him? Never forget he's probably closer to you than anyone else in his life so it's your responsibility to make sure he doesn't get out of line. If you want to make sure he's unhappy and dwindling away inside, show him you don't like him.
  4. Complain about him. Believe it or not (and lots of men will get mad at me for revealing this to you) most of us look to the women in our lives, or the woman closest to us, to determine how we feel about ourselves. Make sure he knows you are keeping score against him by openly expecting him to screw up. Tell all your friends what a loser he is and never, ever genuinely praise him.

Get the rest when you keep reading.

Brazilian Waxing For Men
dating and technology

Matt Bomer Went Hairless For Magic Mike: How Do You Feel About Manscaping?

The sexy actors in Magic Mike have to show off a good amount of skin to play male strippers in the movie, out later this month.
Matt Bomer Went Hairless For Magic Mike: How Do You Feel About Manscaping?

The sexy actors in Magic Mike have to show off a good amount of skin to play male strippers in the movie, out later this month. And one of the sexy men in question, Matt Bomer, dished that the stripped-down scenes required a lot of manscaping. He said, "We all had to go there. I'm not going to say it was fun, and personally I will never do it again, but for that project it was necessary. We were all in the boat together." We must admit, the painful waxing paid off, the Magic Mike fellas look mighty fine showing off their hairless bods.

We've seen a lot of manscaping trends over the years, but one of the most surprising would have to be the male-version of the Brazilian. Women are no longer the only ones going through the pain of waxing their undercarriage. According to the New York Times, men are now getting bikini waxes and "boyzilians." One waxing salon mentioned even says 70 percent of its weekly business comes from guys. Besides the obvious question of how a man's bits and pieces are waxed (it seems like a dubious task), you may wonder why men would go through the torture of waxing the area around their member — but, of course, it has to do with the "enlarging effect" a bare down-there has. Apparently it's a sort of optical illusion, with one salon director saying, "It accentuates it, because there's nothing to obscure the, you know, implement down there."

Would you want your man to get in on this boyzilian trend? What about other types of female pampering like facials and pedicures? Click through to weigh in on if you'd like your significant other to join in on your grooming practices.

Shaving Legs Getting a Facial Curling Hair Getting a Pedicure Shaving Armpits Coloring Hair Tweezing Eyebrows
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