The above chart might be a funny jab at marriage and the stereotypical  idea that when people get married they become angry sexless bores, but it is also a visual representation of all the things wrong with marriage and how you could hypothetically create a happier one (assuming marriage is an equation, which obviously, it is not). It comes from the book and blog “Spousonomics” by Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson, which provides a humorous, but fairly factual look at contemporary marriage and its mathematics.

The “existential dread” included, much of this chart is pretty accurate… married couples do tend to begin concentrating on trivial things and ignoring the important stuff. So how can you use this chart to ensure you don’t find yourself in a Hulu-filled, sexless marriage? By actively working to not let that happen. Many studies have shown that, for example, having sex a couple times a week (even if you’re “not really in the mood”) can improve a couple’s intimacy and relationship.

So what is this chart doing on a dating advice site? Well, it is especially important before you get married that you haven’t already fallen into the marriage-mindset. Dating is supposed to be the most exciting part of a couple’s life together, so as you get into a relationship, keep Spousonomics in mind, and flip that chart upside down!

The bloggers at Tastebuds took those stats and compared them to their readily available info on what its users’ favorite bands are. Assigning a score to each person’s willingness to hook up on the first date, they were able to compile this graph, which shows that the hardest rock fans like Nirvana and Metallica-lovers are most likely to put out. In the middle are more mid-range bands like Arcade Fire, The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pink Floyd, who would probably make out with you and then shyly push you away and tell you they have to go, and down at the bottom? Coldplay and Adele fans, heart-wrenching love-song fanatics who would rather DIE than even kiss you on the first date.

On a first date, asking people what their favorite band is has always been a cheesy “icebreaker” sort of question, but now that we know that the type of music someone likes could give you a clue as to whether or not you’re going to get to third base that night, well… maybe we’ll actually start paying attention to what they answer! ;)

A friend of mine and her boyfriend recently moved about 200 miles north of us to a town where they didn’t really know anyone. They both work for the same company and live in a one bedroom, somewhat out of the city with not much to do in the vicinity. They moved there 6 months ago. They have broken up twice.

Many of our other friends supposed the time together made them realize how incompatible they were for each other. I had a different opinion – I think it was the close proximity and the lack of outside friends or hobbies that took a perfectly great couple and drove them INSANE. There is a common term, “Cabin fever” which doesn’t always have to do with staying inside. Sometimes it has to do with being with one person, almost 24 hours a day, with no release in the form of other friends or even just ALONE time.

So how can we make this better? There are a couple ways that you can find time for yourself, even in a busy lifestyle:

1. The gym: not only will it better your health and physique, but it’s a great time to put on some headphones or read a book and just be inside your own head.

2. A class: local community colleges often offer very cheap or even free classes in art, photography, writing, and more. You might be hesitant to go back to school, but it’ll feel like a nice escape and you’ll learn something!

3. Get outside: as the seasons turn to warmer weather, take the opportunity to go for walks outside in the morning or afternoon to clear your head. You’ll be more stress-free without spending a dime!

4. Call someone: if you live far away from your friends and family, find sometime to give a parent or close friend a call and just GAB. Sometimes there is nothing more important than just getting some stuff off your chest. Surely someone you trust will spare a few minutes to let you vent.

5. Write in a journal: if your friends and family are busy or out of your time zone, try picking up a journal and WRITING your feelings out. In a journal there is no one judging you or how you feel, just pages and pages of space for you to talk about things that perhaps your significant other wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) want to hear. Combine this with the “get outside” part and you’ll have a nice relaxing alone time day!

Every time we think the bloggers at OKCupid couldn’t possibly come up with another statistic-based post that holds our attention from start to finish, they do it again. This time, with “The Best Questions for a First Date,” which gives great tips to those of us who walk into first dates feeling like we’re about to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, terrified we’ll screw it up (get it? Because Christina did that?).

They did a bunch of number-y mathish things (blogger here — not good at math), and came up with a bunch of friendly, unobtrusive questions that correlate very high with the real important questions we all think about while on a first date.

For example, if you’re wondering, “am I going to get laid tonight?” you might want to ask, “do you like the taste of beer?”

And if you want to know if you and your date have the same politics, a fun but revealing question is, “Do you prefer people in your life to be simple or complex?”

Interesting, right? For more on the best questions to ask on the first date, check out the OKCupid blog for the rest of the stats.

Rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, were arrested Wednesday night for making an illegal u-turn in LA which resulted in them getting arrested for possession of marijuana, methamphetamines, and ecstasy. Yikes, yikes, and yikes, huh?! According to TMZ, T.I. was already on probation (for trying to buy an automatic weapon at a gun show) after being in jail for 7 months. You’d think after an experience like that you’d cut back on the law-breaking, right?

Needless to say, this begs the question… would you stay with someone who had trouble with the law? Sure everyone has their share of parking tickets, but if you were dating someone who consistently broke the law (and got caught), would you stick by them? Would you marry them, or have children with them? Is love worth it?

1. Late night ocean adventures

If you’re fortunate enough to live near the ocean (or a lake, or a river, I guess?), you know that during the hottest days of summer it can be packed with kids, families, tourists, and (the worst) teenagers during the hot afternoon hours. However, around dusk the crowds start to dissipate, and it can provide a romantic (and much cooler) spot to spark some romance.

img @ torontospeeddate

2. Ice party

I don’t think much explanation is needed here. Freeze some cubes, pull back the covers, and get busy!

3. Embrace the heat

This may seem like backwards logic, but taking a hot yoga class together will invigorate your senses, cleanse your mind, lower stress and make the air outside seem cooler. Plus, studies have shown that practicing yoga heightens sensuality, intimacy and confidence in bed. And on top of that, men are visual creatures… watching a lady do a downward dog or dancer pose will definitely be a turn on. You may have a hard time even getting back to your apartment ;). And guys — don’t feel awkward taking a yoga class; it’ll improve your strength and flexibility. And the world’s manliest talent agent can do it, so can you!

Or neither?

The biggest sports news in America right now (especially since the World Cup is on hold until Sunday), is that superstar basketballer LeBron James is headed to Miami. People are speculating about his new team’s chances at winning a ring, the “betrayal” of leaving Cleveland, and now, get this – about whether or not he’ll stay with his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, or move onto one of the beach babes that Miami has to offer.

We expressed a mighty “WTF,” at Hollywood Life’s assumption that because they two aren’t married, a new life in Miami could push LeBron into the arms of another woman, despite the fact that the two, who have been together for years, have two children together.

Hollywood Life lists potential new leading ladies, and all we can think is, “SHUT UP, HOLLYWOOD LIFE.” I mean, who is to say that these two don’t have the world’s most rock solid relationship, just because they aren’t married? They seem to be a very happy couple with a beautiful family, and just because they’re moving from a somewhat small town to the bustling cultural city of Miami doesn’t mean LeBron is going to go nuts and start Tiger Woods-ing all over the place.

Or maybe he will. Who knows. All we know, is Hollywood Life, SHUT UP.

What do you think?

img @ api.ning.com

When you’re young (I’m thinking, 15 or 16) and you start dating, it’s quite possibly one of the most exciting times of your life. Not only do you fall in love at the drop of a hat, but you often forget all about the very real potential that this person, your first love, isn’t your only love.

However, resisting the desire to up and get married the second you think you’re in love is the smartest thing you can do. A recent article in The Daily Beast by Anneli Rufus discusses many statistics about the likelihood of divorce, and what is one of the leading causes of divorce? Marrying too young. She says in the article,

If you’re a woman who got married before the age of eighteen, your marriage faces a 48 percent likelihood of divorce within ten years.

Age matters. Study after study shows that the younger the married couple, the riskier the bond. The risk drops to 40 percent for women who married at age eighteen or nineteen, drops further to 29 percent for women who married at age 20 to 24, and drops even further to 24 percent for women who married at age 25 or older.

So slow it down, young ones. This first intense love you’re feeling may feel great, but trust us when we say it won’t be the last!

img @ divinecaroline

Being in a long term relationship can be taxing. Although your S.O. is supposed to be your numero uno companion, you often find yourself wondering when you can get a chance to spend some time with friends, or more importantly, alone. However, not all relationships have to be like this. Instead of falling into the usual traps, you can take the road less traveled (Robert Frost reference) and keep your relationship as fresh as the day you took it out of the box (toy reference).

Here are a few of DatePro’s fail safe freshness tips.

1) Call, don’t text

Cell phones have made it possible to be in contact with each other 24 hours a day, which is great… but also terrible. When you text each other while at work or school, while driving to meet them (don’t do that here in CA, it’s illegal), and before you go to bed, you lose appreciation for what it means to hear from them. Put the phone down, and call when you really want to talk. It’ll make those times that much more special.

2) Surprise, surprise

Presents and tangible gifts are awesome, but thoughtful surprises are a million times better. A nice dinner, ready when they show up, a bottle of their favorite wine left on their doorstep, or flowers sent to work, are a small, inexpensive ways to show them  (now that you aren’t texting 100 times a day) that you care.

3) Sex it up!

Do it! Keep it exciting. Do it different ways, different places, at spontaneous times… If your sex life becomes dull, it’s only a matter of time before your love life goes in the same direction. Sex can be the most exciting part of your relationship — if you just have an open mind!

Remember, if things are stale, you can make significant changes to fix the problems. However, it’s not always fixable. It may be time to move on!

img @ askmen

Ah, Summer. Sunshine, warm weather, longer days, what more could you ask for? Well, you don’t have to ask for anything but you should know that summer’s great assets also give a great boost to your sex and love life!

Here are a couple scientific (and a couple not-so-scientific) reasons your love life’s about to heat up!

1. High temp, less clothes

You don’t wanna spend your summer in a loose sweater and jeans, do you? Hit that treadmill or swim some laps and get on your short shorts (not if you’re a dude, please)… Summer is the season of skin, and while we don’t promote looking, well, Miley-Cyrus’-new-album-ish, a pair of shorts or sumer dress can really turn up the heat.

2. Sun, sun, sun

Along with the heat, the sun brings something else: Vitamin D, which protects against depression and fatigue (not to mention its usefulness against a host of many other diseases). Energetic and healthy? Those are two ingredients for a great dating and sex life!

3. Tons of fun dating opportunities

No longer are you stuck inside at bars or cold movie theaters. With the warm weather finally hear, dates at outdoor cafes, beaches, parks, and other nature adventures are great times to get your romance on.

4. Outdoor sex

Need we say more? Check out the Frisky’s great list of places to get down in the wild outdoors.

5. Don’t worry, be happy!

That’s right, summer is scientifically proven to be a great way to get happy, social, and flirty. In fact, those in live in places without enough sunshine actually experience SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a syndrome that actually causes 4 percent to 6 percent of the population to feel as gloomy as the storm clouds in the winter months.

So hop on a surfboard, chat up a cute singleton at the park, and have fun, Summer only lasts so long!