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Hot Track: Kelly Clarkson, "Sober"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:14:51 PDT

When did Kelly Clarkson get all dark and dreary on us? Though I've been digging her embittered breakup ballad "Never Again," I'm not sure how I feel about the goth-girl cover of her next album, My December, which is coming out June 26 after much hullabaloo. Then, there's her just-released second single, "Sober," which is just downright somber. Just check out these lyrics:

Three months and I’m still sober
Picked all my weeds but kept the flowers
But I know it’s never really over

And I don’t know
I could crash and burn but maybe
At the end of this road I might catch a glimpse of me

I guess it's refreshing that Clarkson, unlike so many young starlets, is sober. But while she shows off some stunningly powerful vocals here, "Sober" is a bit too maudlin to really move me. Listen to it here and tell me what you think.

Song of the Day: Kelly Clarkson, "Never Again"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:11:57 PDT

With the angsty anthem "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson managed to win legions of fans - including folks who probably never expected to care about a song by an "American Idol" champ. Now, she's got a new single called "Never Again," which takes the girl-power bitterness up a notch. Just consider the first couplet: "I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green / I hope when you're in bed with her, you think of me."

Rock guitars and deep synth strings just enhance the mood, and as with "Since U Been Gone," the chorus full of pumping crescendos. I'm not sure it matches the energy of her bit hit, though; listen to it here and tell me what you think.

A Cancer Survivor's Goal: 50 Triathlons by Her 50th Birthday

espnW — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:26:06 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Julia Savacool

It's a good thing Jenn Sommermann discovered triathlons when she did. "I was turning 40 years old, and my friend and I were looking for a way to commemorate the occasion," Sommermann said. "We decided to train for a triathlon." Because Sommermann was on the East Coast and her friend was on the West, the two trained together virtually, exchanging workout notes and messages of encouragement. Several months later, they competed in the Danskin Women's Tri in Seattle.

"That was it, I was in love with triathlons," Sommermann said. Little did she know, two years later the fitness she gained through the sport would help her win a battle against ovarian cancer.

It was December 2006 when Sommermann received her diagnosis. She'd been feeling out of sorts for months, but had been reluctant to see her doctor.

The symptoms for ovarian cancer are subtle: Bloating, weight gain, fatigue and indigestion are all indicators for the disease, but they are also common symptoms for many women during their monthly cycle. The main difference with ovarian cancer, explained Sommermann, is the symptoms don't go away.

It was by chance she discovered the cancer - she was pressing on her stomach one night and came across a hard lump. "I called my husband over, and he felt it, too," she said. "I knew this wasn't good." She went to see her physician immediately, and an ultrasound revealed a tumor about the size of an eggplant. "I had Stage 3 ovarian cancer," said Sommermann. "I was in shock. The disease is 94 percent curable if you catch it by Stage 2. But after that, the numbers are not in your favor."

Surfing gets Anastasia Ashley through tough times

Read more about Jen's inspiring story after the break.

8 Reasons You Need a Roth IRA Now

Kiplinger — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:50:27 PDT

Be savvy about your retirement. Kiplinger gives eight compelling reasons for getting a Roth IRA account now.

Smart young savers know to participate in their companies' 401(k)s as soon as they join the workforce to benefit from as many years of saving and compounding as possible (see Why You Need a 401(k) Right Away). But really smart young savers - including all of you who read Starting Out, obviously - should know to save via a Roth IRA, too.

In fact, the Roth IRA is such an important retirement investment tool that it now has its own holiday. On March 27, Jeff Rose, financial planner and GoodFinancialCents.com blogger, hosted an online event, the Roth IRA Movement, which he plans to make an annual celebration. He rallied 145 other personal-finance writers to spread the good word about the star savings account and inspire rookie investors to open their own accounts. "Overall, the turnout was awesome," says Rose. "Several people have already e-mailed me and said that someone they know opened a Roth IRA because of reading a post about it."

Here are some of our favorite lessons to take away from the inaugural Roth IRA Movement:

1. You can open a Roth no matter how young you are, as long as you have earned income. Peter Anderson points out in his Roth IRA Movement contribution, 10 Reasons Why I Love the Roth IRA (And Why You Should Too): "There isn't an age limit to have a Roth IRA, so even your children can have one!" They can, that is, as soon as they make money working, whether it be babysitting, lawn mowing, working retail or whatever.

And it's super-easy to open a Roth through your bank. Or you can try one of Kiplinger's favorite online brokers. TD Ameritrade requires no minimum initial investment and charges no maintenance fees. For your application, you'll just need your Social Security number, your employer's name and address, your checking or savings account number and bank routing number (if you want to fund the Roth IRA electronically), and your beneficiary's address and Social Security number.

Read on for more.

See More Pictures From the Set of Les Misérables

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:13:35 PDT

The stars of Les Misérables are getting into character on the London set, with Hugh Jackman sporting the threadbare look of Jean Valjean, while Russell Crowe's Inspector Javert looks ready to get down to some police business, and Eddie Redmayne takes aim as Marius. We have some more photos from the set, and though the movie-musical also stars Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried, we'll have to wait to get a glimpse of the rest of the cast. The pictures are only piquing my intrigue in this movie, which we'll have to wait for until December. What do you think of these photos from the set?

Meeting My Sperm Donor

The Good Men Project — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:50 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Ben Sommer, conceived through alternative insemination, is a young man now and tells the story of deciding to meet his donor.

I grew up in a middle-class home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with two loving parents, both of whom are women. My conception was perhaps the most organized and scientific miracle of the modern American family - my architecture, the dream of dozens of individuals conducting their work across thousands of miles.

Objectifying Ryan Gosling

I was conceived through alternative insemination. A donor submitted his sperm to the Sperm Bank of California in Oakland (TSBC). Later, it was sent to the Fenway Community Health Center in Boston. Since opening its doors in 1982, TSBC has helped families without the ability to conceive on their own to birth over 2,000 children. Two thirds of those have ended up, like me, being raised in a lesbian household. TSBC is also the first sperm bank to offer a donor-identity-release program, which allows children of alternative insemination access to their donors' information when they turn 18.

I am not as much an oddity as you might think. As of 2005, some 270,000 children in the United States had same sex-parents. We are a generation that is just now beginning to come of age and able to share our stories. This is mine.

Growing up in a lesbian household was much like growing up in any other family unit, I imagine: vacations to Cape Cod, parents working late and sometimes not, play dates with a diverse group of friends.

I never gave much thought to that mysterious figure across the country. I never questioned the fact that I didn't have a father. As far as I was concerned I didn't need one. Is having two moms really all that different than having a mom and a dad? Parents are parents, right? I didn't see a difference at the time. My parents didn't either - at least at first.

They decided to conceive through a donor, in part, to avoid the complications that a third parent would bring. Asking a close male friend to donate, like some couples have done, can create unforeseen consequences. In the past, there have been custody battles between the donor and the parents raising the child. This was the case with a friend of mine, whose parents arranged donation from a male family friend. With a semi-anonymous donor like the man my parents chose, it would be clear who my parents were. And it was.

That's not to say that it was smooth sailing. "When we first learned you were going to be a boy, we really panicked," my mother told me recently. "Who's going to teach him to throw a ball? We didn't have many male friends. There was even basic stuff, like who's going to teach him to pee standing up. That doesn't come naturally."

Read the rest of the story below.

"I Don't Want to Break Up, but I Don't Know How to Stay Together"

Tres Community — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My boyfriend and I have had a rocky relationship. When we met, he had just broken up with his long-term girlfriend and I was still in a relationship. I actually carried on a long-distance relationship with him and my LD boyfriend for four months before I finally broke up with my boyfriend. Needless to say, they both found out and the new bf dumped me. After talking through things, for about two weeks, he agreed to forgive me. But he wanted me to move (to another country) to live with him and be with him. I did . . . but I had trouble finding a job and since he was the only person I had to talk to most days, I felt confined and resentful. Worse, I checked his emails one night and found out he had been secretly meeting his ex, buying speakers with her, going to movies, etc. He even had emails in his draft folder telling her how much he missed her and how he was sure he wanted her back. I confronted him, and he said he was trying to maintain a friendship with her and that those were written at low points when he had doubts. He said he finally cut off all communication with her in December. I had to fly home for my grandmother's funeral and at this point I'm not sure when I will be back. Because of all the turmoil and craziness and because he thinks I can't forgive him, he said we should break up. Logically, that makes sense, and it might be easier for me to find a job here. But breaking up with him just feels WRONG. Despite everything, I feel like we should be together.

I know we have so many issues: trust, baggage from the last relationships, needing to communicate better. Do you think it's possible for two people to work through all that? Do you think it's even worth it? I haven't spoken to him in 24 hours and it already hurts like hell. I know if it's meant to be, we could take a break and see from there. But I just want him in my life.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

What Spring Magazine Are You Most Looking Forward to Reading?

Elka Karl — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:00:20 PST

March and April are two of my favorite months, thanks to the return of Spring, but design enthusiasts also have a lot to be happy about, thanks to three exciting updates on the shelter magazine front.

In March, I'll be looking forward to Lonny's new March/April issue. It's the first issue the magazine has published since its sabbatical following the November/December issue. More exciting yet, starting in May, Lonny will go monthly!

April 17 is the online launch of Trad Home magazine's second issue, which will feature 10 design-blogger-chosen New Trad designers for 2012.

Condé Nast's special edition of Domino Quick Fixes will also be on newsstands on April 17 for $11. As we previously reported, the publication will be full of inspiring ideas for weekend decorating DIY warriors. Domino Quick Fixes will feature a compilation of the magazine's best home-decorating stories, highlighting tricks and tips for easy and affordable ways to dramatically change the look of your home.

Which magazine are you most looking forward to and why?

"I Was an Idiot and a Jerk"

Tres Community — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:05:00 PST

This week's confession comes from our anonymous Confession Booth group in the TrèsSugar Community. Weigh in with your advice below.

I was an idiot who could not appreciate my ex when she was with me. Sure I never ever lied when I said I loved her. When I developed feelings for another girl, I couldn't help but to tell her and let her know I thought it would be unfair for her. I told her I will do whatever I could to forget the crush so that I could fully love her, she was patient and considerate. She loved me, she said. It took me a long time to get over the crush, because the feelings were developed over the years I was with my ex, six full years. As the feelings grew stronger, I couldn't help but to let my ex in on the loop because it was completely unfair to her. I thought she should find someone who loved her more than I could. Even though I have never lied, even today, when I say I love her. She couldn't take it, after being patient with me for almost a year. I'm sorry I'm an idiot and jerk who took one year and one month to get over my crush. I'm sorry I was an idiot who couldn't treasure you for everything you gave me.

But soon after we broke up in December, she was in the arms of another, hating me. I love her so much, I want her back. Her hate for me is as deep as my love for her unfortunately. Everything seems bleak in life. I had it all. I had the girl of my dreams, the woman of my life, but only realized when it was too late. I don't know what more there is to live for, or even what more there is to life. I know and understand that I have to move on, that I will find someone else again. But in my six years even as the crush developed into a liking. I have never loved anyone else. I have never considered anyone else. I distanced myself from my crush the moment I noticed the feelings. I kept away from being too intimate with my ex because I felt it was unfair. Now I have nothing left. My crush was a very good friend who I kept away from. My ex keeps away from me because of the hurt and betrayal from me. I can understand all that. I just can't understand and won't believe that I will be able to make it out of this anymore.

There's lots of cool stuff going on in our community - join it, check it out, share your posts or advice in the great groups, and maybe we'll feature it here on TrèsSugar!

"Ex Won't Take My Pics Down After the Breakup"

Tres Community — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

It's been a good 6 months since I broke up with my ex but I couldn't afford to move out until this past December. He had a public pic of us up as a couple which I asked him to take down before I moved out. He finally took it down in January. Now I look on the Internet and he has a business website up with pics of me on it. Only a couple of pics of him and the rest are of me. No pics of anyone else. He rebounded with someone after I broke up with him and was dating people "casually." Before I left he told me he didn't love this person, wouldn't bring her to the house until I moved and was seeing not only her but other people, but did it to try and get over me. I believe that's actually true, that he was using this person to make me jealous so I would stay. I could not forgive him because she was very jealous of me and did horrible things. Actually, so did he.

We are not in contact and though I'm not completely over everything I will not go back to him due to the way things ended. I'm pretty sure he wanted me back and my family and friends think so too. Someone close thought it was sad but thought I should sue him to take the pics down because I asked him months ago and he didn't. I'm not going to do that but I just think it's weird. I'm curious to know what does it do for him to have these pics up for people to see when we are not together?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.