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May 7 Chris Quinn: Parents: You know your kid is not really a star, seriously So you want your kid to be a star? Well, there’s your first problem. What’s that you say? It’s not you, but your kid who wants the bright lights of fame? April 30 Chris Quinn: We interrupt this column for a special bulletin: Paige is back! LATE-BREAKING NEWS! This just in to our newsroom (brace yourselves): A car has hit a pole on the corner of Durango Street. Repeat! An automobile has hit a telephone pole on Durango near St. Mary’s Street. This is just, JUST, in to our newsroom. April 23 Chris Quinn: ‘An American Crime’ proves evil existed before YouTube Anyone who has seen that video of those little pieces of crap in Florida luring, ganging up on and beating their classmate probably had the same feelings of rage and vengeance coursing through you as I did. April 16 Chris Quinn: Olympics torch relay fans flames of purely entertaining madness Anytime you see French cops Rollerblading down the street as part of their actual duties, you are one step closer to the state of TV perfection. Meena Thiruvengadam: There's no time or reason to panic if you've been laid off When Alice Winn got her real estate license and bought her Volvo in 2006, it was supposed to signal the beginning of a brilliant career in a booming industry. April 9 Jaundréa Clay: Babies in the spotlight as some biological clocks tick, tick, tick Nicole Richie and Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden have their Harlow. Christina Aguilera and her “Candyman” have their Max.
Well, with the wife still in charge of the remote control, my options for watching television have become limited.
April 2 Chris Quinn: Waltzing onto the bandwagon of ‘Dancing with the Stars' “Dancing With the Stars.” When this show first aired a couple of years ago I immediately thought, “What? They didn't corner the market on complete idiots with ‘American Idol?'.”
March 26 Meena Thiruvengadam: If government doesn't step in, student loan bubble could burst We've all heard for months that mortgages are getting harder to get. Now, college loans could start becoming more elusive.
Anytime someone drones on about how morally dead our times and society are, I suggest you point them to the 16th Century and “The Tudors.” March 19 Chris Quinn: ‘State of the Union’ is in stitches with Ullman’s satire I watched a few episodes and wound up laughing my rear off. I had forgotten how funny Tracey Ullman is. Meena Thiruvengadam: You don't need a sugar daddy if you create personal wealth
Recently, my mailbox at work has been inundated with articles on love, sex, perceptions of beauty and inbreeding. March 12 Chris Quinn: Loggers strut their stuff on ‘AxMen' — sadly, flannel-free Many trees gave their lives to bring you this column. Well, actually, maybe only one tree took the dirt nap. Regardless, the point is at least we managed to kill one tree. Jaundréa Clay: Calling all single anxious female voters on Nov. 4 Elections season is getting hotter and heavier now — and, single women, we're les objets d'affection.
March 5 Chris Quinn: ‘Parking Wars' shows what we look like when we rant I hate parking downtown. I loathe it like many underwater amoebas loathe bleach. Here is how it normally goes: You drive around the brilliantly laid-out downtown streets searching for any sign of one of the few parking spaces whose meter is not taped off (and that allows you to park for longer than a handful of seconds without having to rush to feed it) or a parking lot that does not look like it works on the side as a bombing range test site.
February 27 Chris Quinn: ‘Stars Wars: The Clone Wars’ is helping to fulfill prophecy I'm not fooling here, but as I write this, I am literally re-creating the Mos Eisley Cantina scene from “Star Wars.” I have action figures set up on my home office desk and am listening to various John Williams scores. Jaundréa Clay: Many juicy details of love life sadly never make it into print From the looks of it, you might think I never dated, was never pursued — maybe that I was allergic to men.
February 20 Meena Thiruvengadam: Work your résumé to get gig you're not quite qualified for
February 13 Meena Thiruvengadam: Start saving now and you'll be set for your olden years For the longest time, I thought I was the kind of person who would never retire. Across not-so-frozen and not-really-desolate lands they came. Hordes upon hordes of ruthless savages, bent on a single goal, to break down my weekend.
Valentine's Day is this week. Or, for many of us, the most sickeningly sweet day of the year.
February 6 Meena Thiruvengadam: Contrary to popular belief, Gen Xers worry about money Bookstore shelves might make it seem like everyone between the age of 20 and 40 is struggling to pay off student loans, car notes and credit cards. Chris Quinn: Viewers may get ‘Lost,' but we won't stop watching I am going to preface everything I am about to say with this: I still love this show. January 23 Meena Thiruvengadam: Automakers working to save us from the perils of the pump You've moaned about high gas prices, and the world's automakers have heard you.
Chris Quinn: ‘Terminator' series on Fox kicks some major ass January 16 Meena Thiruvengadam: When changing jobs, an IRA is best option for old 401(k) If you have a job and a 401(k), I'm going to assume you're smart enough to remember your pot of cash when you switch employers. Jaundréa Clay: Single vows: To date and to flirt, as long as I please A day before New Year's Eve, I attended a close friend's wedding. This is a friend who, at this time last year, had proclaimed that she didn't think she ever wanted to be married. January 9 Jaundréa Clay: Monkeys and condom sales tell a lot about sexuality Two studies came out this past week, one on condoms and sex toys, and the other on monkeys — and no, it's not some weird, new eroticism that just came out.
I am so well known, famous even, in a half block radius of my home for a dish that has been known to make chefs cry with envy.
January 2 Meena Thiruvengadam: From the minds of babes: Girls create new way to make cash Normally, I would have a few choice four-letter words for a solicitor approaching my door. But when my bell rang the other night, I found myself completely inspired by the entrepreneurs on the other side.
December 26 Meena Thiruvengadam: FICO plans to sorta forgive the things you'd like to forget Starting next year, Fair Isaac, the company behind the all-important credit score, is promising to give consumers a little bit of just that. Jaundréa Clay: My New Year’s resolution: To be a little more fearless By the time you read this column, the gifts will have been exchanged and torn open. You might have already fielded the relationship questions from relatives. Chris Quinn: Making a decent sitcom too hard for ‘Cavemen,' others This latest TV season has been a regular demolition derby. We have seen new shows come in and flop almost before they left the gate. By gate I mean cave, and by cave I mean “Cavemen.” December 19 Jaundréa Clay: Is it all clear? Is it safe to come out now? If you thought the barrage of holiday carols was bad ..... December 12 Jaundréa Clay: Could be a T-shirt: I survived my love life being analyzed! I'm going to start this by saying that my Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful and lacked any stress or potential drama.
I can admit it. I've regifted. One time, I gave a Starbucks gift card my boss had given me to a friend for his birthday.
Bust out your best fa la las, it's Christmas time! Which means most of us celebrate the birth of the reigning lord. December 5 Chris Quinn: Frankly, this show just sucks really, really bad Meena Thiruvengadam: I'll take a plate of cookies over spiraling debt for Christmas My favorite Christmas gift from my good friend Lara cost her about $3. It was a plate of cookies. November 27 Meena Thiruvengadam: Bring on the plastic, but don't forget to pass along the terms I love gift cards. Getting them, giving them and spending them. Research predicts spending on gift cards is expected to reach a record high of $35 billion this year. Jaundréa Clay:: It's easy to meet online, but things get stickier in person There's always a certain nervousness that comes along with the first date. The uneasy or overeager laughter. The fidgeting. The trips to the restroom to check yourself out in the mirror.
“He's got me so aggravated I can't even fart.” Someone once told me never lead off with a quote until Jesus returns, and then lead with what his first words are; or, if the pope says, CENSORED. November 21 Meena Thiruvengadam: E85 fuel blend won’t get you as far gallon for gallon
Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce. It's Thanksgiving — a time for giving thanks. But sometimes, that line between gratitude and leaving well enough alone is very thin.
So TV writers are all on strike. Does this mean nobody's getting their pizzas delivered in L.A. or that car windshields aren't being cleaned in N.Y.?
November 14 Jaundréa Clay: You say networking, I say dating: Same difference Online dating is popular. Or at least you'd think so, what with all the Web sites dedicated to it. I personally don't know of anyone who has found love through an online dating service.
Cash money as we know it is just about over. I'm not talking about this column. I'm talking about the greenback dollars you never seem Chris Quinn: Viewers: Strike back with these TV time-wasting tips So TV writers are all on strike. Does this mean nobody's getting their pizzas delivered in L.A. or that car windshields aren't being cleaned in N.Y.? November 7 Meena Thiruvengadam: Roth, the IRA in shining armor for the young and savvy saver I've got a four-letter word for you: Roth. It's not one of the first words a non-native English speaker would want to learn. And it's certainly not as sexy a word as, say, sexy, but it can be worth a lot of money. Chris Quinn: Shake what mama gave you and watch some basketball Can you smell that? It smells like freedom — like Star Wars, winter crispness, bacon, Big Red and the movie “Aliens.” It smells like all the good things in this world rolled into a tight bundle and smothered with cheese dip. October 31 Meena Thiruvengadam: Roth, the IRA in shining armor for the young and savvy saver I've got a four-letter word for you: Roth. It's not one of the first words a non-native English speaker would want to learn. And it's certainly not as sexy a word as, say, sexy, but it can be worth a lot of money. Jaundréa Clay: MySpace scarier than Britney in a Britney Halloween costume Since it's time for Halloween and things that are evil, I need to get this off of my chest. It's probably going to earn me some hard feelings and hate mail from addicts (in denial), but here goes: MySpace is the devil. Chris Quinn: ‘Three Sheets’ passes the taste test, minus rude host A guy walks into this bar and orders a beer. That is the entire basis for the show “Three Sheets.” October 24 Jaundréa Clay: New dating technology may leave you feeling zapped A month or so ago, I was browsing msn.com, and a link blared at me: “Tired of singlehood? Try zapping.” I'm thinking, great, so now the new tactic du jour is to incapacitate the object of your affection. And I'm pretty sure that's been done — and orange jumpsuits don't complement my figure.
If home ownership is what you're after, now is a pretty good time to make that dream of yours a reality. Chris Quinn: Thanks be to Him, creator of the ‘Star Wars’ TV show October 17 Jaundréa Clay: We might need a captain on this ship of singlehood Many singles columns I've read offer priceless nuggets of advice to help us relationship-impaired (poor, unfortunate souls) navigate these treacherous seas of dating and snag that elusive fish in it. Meena Thiruvengadam: Trying to be a big balla can land you in big-time debt Quit coveting your colleague's BMW, Porsche, expensive vacations and sprawling house behind the gates. While you're at it, stop wishing you had your neighbor's Chanel shades, Prada bag and that fancy golf club membership. Chris Quinn: Warning: Comedy Central CDs may lead to laughing disaster Doctors would call it the perfect release. I refer to it as the perfect laugh. My wife calls it just another Sunday night. However we view this, one fact remains: the irrevocable truth that I achieved oneness of comedy, chili dogs and prescription cold and sinus medication. October 10 Meena Thiruvengadam: My hotel points can only be redeemed for a headache A friend recently told me about a guy who used Marriott rewards points to buy two rather large plasma televisions. Chris Quinn: ‘It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' takes almost no effort to love Imagine a life where all you did, every waking moment, was devoted to guiltless pursuit of your baser and own self-serving needs. October 3 Chris Quinn: Tumultuous brotherhood makes for great Showtime Organized crime. Webster's Dictionary defines it as something that is bad. I agree. So when you mix politics in with the crime, you are asking for double bad. September 26 Chris Quinn: Take comfort in ‘The Office' and ‘The Sarah Silverman Project' Rejoice! Within a week, two of the best comedies on TV begin their new seasons. Meena Thiruvengadam: What's the price of coolness? For iPhone users, it's $200 To anyone who was surprised when Apple dropped the price of its iPhone: You should've seen it coming. September 19 Chris Quinn: Forget the hog; ‘Heroes' will save us now and in the future How I got into my current situation is something I am not fully aware of and probably not something I'll be too proud about, either. Meena Thiruvengadam: Quick credit score fixes often result in expensive ordeals As if trying to pull yourself out of bad credit quicksand isn't hard enough, there are a few “helpful” programs out there just waiting to suck you back in. September 12 Meena Thiruvengadam: Is your card right for you? Chris Quinn: ‘Flash Gordon' remake is a rocket ride to planet Crappo Something in here smells, and I am pretty sure it isn't me. I know this because I just had my first high colonic. September 5 Meena Thiruvengadam: Shopping around can save you some bucks on books There's one thing about college I don't miss: The high price of textbooks. The price of college textbooks has risen at nearly four times the rate of inflation in the past decade. Chris Quinn: ‘South Park’ re-elected by a landslide for four more years Someone is looking out for Matt Stone and Trey Parker because Comedy Central and the two South Park creators signed a deal that will take the hilarious cartoon into 2011 with 42 more episodes. August 29 Meena Thiruvengadam: Before you hit the books, study up on your finances Chris Quinn: ‘The Two Coreys' is like a bad habit that can't be kicked Into every single life, a little change must fall. I think I've fallen into a little change ..... 1,700 miles away from San Antonio.
August 22 Meena Thiruvengadam: A few questions can save you from ending up in rental hell Vianna Davila: This SHF is now seeking SM in a brand-new location Since I started writing this singles column many months ago, a number of readers noticed one crucial missing element: I never go on any dates. Chris Quinn: Comedy Central adds some flavor to its roast Back in 1987, I heard my first Public Enemy song. Soon after that, I had become convinced that I was partly black and had to hate John Wayne and fight the white man. August 15 Vianna Davila: Following a dream may mean letting go of your security When I think about saving money, I remember about my mom and her sister when they were kids. Every day, their mother gave them a nickel to pay for the bus ride home from school. Chris Quinn: When it comes to ‘Voyeur,' sometimes I just like to watch When it comes to ‘Voyeur,' sometimes I just like to watch. I have watched these “Voyeur” deals on HBO On Demand for quite sometime now, and I admit to you I have no clue what the flip is going on. Meena Thiruvengadam: The hidden costs of owning a home can add up quickly To buy or not to buy? As 20- and 30-something renters grow up, it's a question that becomes increasingly common. But answering it takes more than knowledge of mortgage rates and area housing statistics. It takes knowing yourself. August 8
Vianna Davila: In relationships, little white lies can leave a big, dark mark Lies: A one-syllable word that can mean big trouble, or at least big questions, for any relationship. Chris Quinn: I'm proud to be drug-free, but I can't say no to ‘Weeds' I am having the most difficult time writing this column. Things keep popping up, my mind is unfocused and I have an insatiable need to prune my leg hair. August 1 Chris Quinn: ‘Bizarre Foods' leaves icky, sublime taste in your mouth I've eaten a lot of food in my time. Some meals have been great; others, not so much. But I do know this: Licking the crusted cheese out of a can of jalapeño cheese dip can not be half as bad as eating live mangrove worms off of rotting wood pulp. Or could it? Vianna Davila: A big change means chaos, cleaning and moving on The writer Thomas Wolfe once famously wrote, “You can't go home again.” He should have added, “But at least you can always rent another one.” Meena Thiruvengadam: You don't need to pay a fee to spend your own money If you pay for your checking account, please stop. There are way too many banks offering free checking for you to continue paying for it. July 25 Vianna Davila: If two's company, how is it that three's not a crowd? Three's the magic number, “School House Rock” once declared. Meena Thiruvengadam: Dreaming of leaving your office space? Here's how Restless 20-something trapped in corporate America seeks escape from daily grind. Chris Quinn: ‘Body Shop' overheats quickly Sometimes you see a show for the first time and know immediately that it's going to hit like grape-flavored raspas on a hot day. Vianna Davila: Here's a real-world confession Hi. My name is Vianna, and I am a MySpace addict. I'm not proud of this fact, nor do I want to advertise for this oh-so-infamous Web site. Meena Thiruvengadam: Going to Europe? Leave that weak-arse dollar at home What does the weak dollar mean to you? Probably not much — unless you've got a summer trip to Europe planned. Vianna Davila: Dating is just like riding a bike: Both leave a mark when you fall When I was 8 years old, I passed two major milestones of childhood: I taught myself how to roller-skate in my driveway, and I learned how to ride a bicycle without training wheels. Chris Quinn: Don’t go near oceans or lakes; It’s Shark Week on Discovery I can hear Quint whispering faintly into my ear, over and over; “Eleven-hundred men went into the water; 316 men came out; sharks took the rest; June the 29th, 1945.” July 4 Vianna Davila: Apparently, I've got a date. In November — of 2008 Normally, I spend my Friday nights not getting so drunk I kiss the porcelain. Normally, on Friday nights, you can count on me being as sober as a Straight Edger with a corncob up an uncomfortable place. Vianna Davila: To marry or not to marry ..... What's the question again? For the first time in my life, I actually wanted to catch it. I was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding last November, surrounded by a gaggle of single women who wanted to catch it, too. Meena Thiruvengadam: Failing to plan is planning to fail in money part of marriage There are a lot of things about arranged marriages I don't fully understand: The idea of committing your life to someone you barely know, the posting of detailed profiles on matrimony Web sites, the level of parental involvement in the early stages of relationships. Chris Quinn: The cavemen need to send their sitcom back under a rock Apparently, making a sitcom is not so easy “a caveman can do it.” Just ask ABC. The network is reaching into the past and pulling out a great big pile of Cenozoic crap with its newest comedy, “Cavemen.” June 20 Meena Thiruvengadam: Outrageous concert tickets have me eyeing local shows A $20 doesn't buy much live music nowadays. It'll get you into places such as Limelight, Rebar and the White Rabbit for local acts and artists you've probably never heard on the radio.
Someone, call for help — I'm listening to a song that reminds me of a person I used to know. Chris Quinn: At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Then I watched ‘Man vs. Wild’ I am not even sure if this column is reaching you. I think I am somewhere east of Big Bend National Park. June 13 Meena Thiruvengadam: Here's how you can get that grande monkey off your back As I walked into the office one day not too long ago, “the snarky one” called me out. “What's that in your hand?” my colleague asked, pointing to my Starbucks cup. “Tea,” I replied. “You have a Starbucks problem,” she said. “I never see you without that cup. It's like it's glued to your hand.” Sometimes plans go awry. The plan this week was to survive with “Man vs. Wild” on the Discovery Channel. Turns out my plans were based on bad intelligence (but at least I am in good company where that's concerned), so, plans changed. The old dating adage goes that there are plenty of fish in the sea. But maybe you're too busy trying to keep your hooks in that one difficult catch to notice the options around you. June 6 Meena Thiruvengadam: Budget travel doesn't have to mean cheap motels and the bus Sometimes I just get lucky. One January, I decided to go on a last-minute weekend trip to L.A. Two days before I took off, I booked a plane ticket for about $180.
This is a story about parents. And I promise it has everything to do with the single life. This is a story about parents. And I promise it has everything to do with the single life. Chris Quinn: ‘Lost' is found again, but ‘Heroes' still saves the day I have yet to regain feeling in my pancreas after having watched — no, experienced — the season finale of “Lost.” May 30 I dropped $40 on a tank of gas the other day. Ouch. Even though my car averages 26.1 miles per gallon, maybe a road trip isn't such a good idea. Vianna Davila: Men: Whistling at women will get you nowhere fast Women come from different backgrounds and varied experiences, but we all usually share one recurring rite of passage: The catcall. Chris Quinn: A&E has prepared me for an Intervention, after this hoagie I had a very disturbing encounter the other day. I came home from a long Saturday afternoon of garage-sale hunting to find my living room full of friends and family. Vianna Davila: There's still a little something to be said for the ‘nice’ girls A long time ago, in a world far, far away, my mother once told me that nice boys only like nice girls. Meena Thiruvengadam: Yes, there IS such a thing as free lunch — or college cash There is such a thing as free money for college. All you have to do is graduate on time with decent grades to get it. I am sitting in a purple and red velvet jogging suit as I write this. What can I say? It's good to be me. May 16 Vianna Davila: We could all use a little more sex education and protection I have a confession. I had no idea this was National Women's Health Week, despite several stories in the last issue of 210SA devoted to the occasion, which runs through Sunday, May 19. Meena Thiruvengadam: This proactive princess doesn’t need Prince Charming’s cash “Prince Charming Isn't Coming.” What a depressing book title. Personally, I don't believe author Barbara Stanny. I have faith that there's a prince or princess charming out there for each of us. But I know all fairytales don't end with happily ever after. Chris Quinn: ‘Deadliest Catch' could be chasing San Antonio crabs I have heard rumors for years. It's the type of yarn that uncles pass down to nephews or the tale that friends will embellish and laugh about over a drink at the bar. May 9 Chris Quinn: Robot Chicken’ plays with force of ‘Star Wars’ universe Vianna Davila: What happens when you get too busy to do a single thing? As I write these words, it is 11:34 p.m. In the last 24 hours, I've had three to four hours of sleep. When I was awake, I spent the majority of my time at the office. Meena Thiruvengadam: What’s your asking price? Figure it out with these tools Looking for a job? Here's a blank you'll probably have to fill in: Salary requirement. May 2 Meena Thiruvengadam: Calculate your salary to make that Pinto will feel like a BMW Thanks to Bankrate.com's movie star salary calculator, I can get a glimpse of what my life would be like if I were a box-office leading lady. Chris Quinn: Enough with the cartoons, Spider-Man needs live action It is no secret I owned Spider-Man Underoos as a lad. It is even less of a secret that I still have them. Vianna Davila: Silver screens and dating go together like two teens in love Ah, yes, the summer rapidly approaches, and with it comes the time-honored tradition of summer movies. Movies are an interesting animal for the single person. April 25 Chris Quinn: ‘Man Among Wolves' inspires inner Beastmaster beauty I began hearing rumors from afar of a strange man who lived with the animals, talked with the animals and indeed walked with the animals. I immediately conferred with my sources. And true enough, the Web site I stumbled on proclaimed — this dude lives with wolves. Meena Thiruvengadam: I'm no Rachel Ray, but here's how to Fiesta on $20 a day Can you Fiesta on $20? Sure, just not at Oyster Bake, NIOSA, the Fiesta Flambeau parade and a list of other parties. Between parking, admission and beer, Fiesta can get expensive quick. Vianna Davila: Sometimes love requires AA batteries and skirting the law Warning: This article contains information having to do with dangerous subjects such as women discussing sex in groups and battery-operated devices. Reader discretion is advised. I was nearly involved in illegal activity last weekend. April 19 Vianna Davila: Honesty is now the new the best policy for singles’ scene “Just say no.” We've all heard the phrase before, most likely when we were impressionable young children and our teachers were instructing us about the dangers of drugs or pre-martial sex. I find myself needing to use the phrase again, but in a very different context.
(PRODUCT) RED makes a big promise: Buy the right cell phone, iPod or T-shirt and help eliminate AIDS in Africa. In 2006, more than 2.1 million people died from AIDS in Africa, according to the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Another 25 million people are estimated to be living with HIV in Africa. Chris Quinn: Penn & Teller courageously call BS on well-known activists I got an e-mail from a reader a long time ago telling me that I so full of bulls*** that he was surprised I managed to use a keyboard with hooves as big as mine must be. April 11 Chris Quinn: ‘Planet Earth' looks awesome as it uncovers polar bear plot Whenever I run across a TV show that completely stuns me with beauty and majesty, I break out in nervous shakes and kidney stones. So when I accidentally stumbled on the series debut of “Planet Earth” airing Sundays on the Discovery Channel, I thought ..... hmmm, polar bears? This will be intriguing. Little did I know. Vianna Davila: Where oh where are all of the single San Antonians hiding? So I've been told I need to perk up and get out into the dating scene. No more morose columns about being by yourself, I was told. Isn't this supposed to be a column about meeting other people? Meena Thiruvengadam: Customer service leaves me feeling empty and unwanted I don't generally cook, so I'm more of a consumer than most. And one thing I've noticed lately is that customer service is dead. Occasionally, I leave a drive-through with exactly what I ordered. Sometimes I get good service at a restaurant, and every once in awhile, I feel like something I bought was really worth it. |
