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    1. Sex love

    The Benefit of Hot Chicks Partnering with Ugly Guys

    Ben "Death Cab for Cutie" Gibbard and Zooey "500 Days of Summer" Deschanel just got married--one more example, if you ask me, of a gorgeous woman shacking up with a homely dude. But according to a recent study, this kind of arrangement might actually work out well for the ladies.

    By Maura Kelly
    Published 23 September 2009 In News

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    Lovelies:

    The other night, I successfully flirted! I went to some blogger meet-up, where the only person I knew was the dude who invited me to go. After about 10 minutes, he wanted to take off, so I was going to leave, too. But then I reminded myself of the obligation I have to you guys--and to myself: Must flirt!

    I went into the corner, pretended I was texting people while I got my courage up, then guzzled a bit of my club soda--before forcing myself to talk to the two guys in the corner next to me. From there, I spun around to introduce myself to two more guys, behind me ... and eventually, I met a very cute, very cool dude and we exchanged numbers! (The "line" I used on him, in case you're interested, was "I don't know anyone here, so I thought I'd introduce myself.")

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    Since a full day has passed since then, though, and I haven't heard from him, I'm sure nothing much will come of it.

    Still, I'm glad I made the most of the party.

    * * *

    In other news ... Have you guys heard about the marriage of the lovely indie actress, Zooey "500 Days of Summer" Deschanel to not-so-hot indie rocker Ben "Death Cab for Cutie"

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    When I learned about this business, I thought: One giant step forward for Ben Gibbard, a huge step backward for all womankind!



    Of course, the Deschanel-Gibbard coupling is not the most egregious example of the Hot-Chick-Fugly-Dude phenomenon--and perhaps I'm judging Gibbard more harshly than I would if I could stand listening to his music, but I cannot. (Great lyrics, though; I will give him that.)

    The ultimate example of the Hot-♥s-Fugly phenom: Woody Allen and ... well, just about every woman he's ever been with.

    Given that Woody is one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, it's more understandable that he's been able to attract so many beautiful actresses (not to mention the adopted daughter of his ex-wife). Plus, there's the whole bonus of him being such a mad comic genius. On the other hand ... Sarah Silverman isn't too shabby herself, when it comes to making us laugh--and she also happens to be quite attractive. Yet who is SHE dating? The frightening-looking Jimmy Kimmel!

    Some other examples from the present and recent past of this disquieting phenomenon: Jay-Z and Beyonce; Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson; and ... who else? (Can you guys think of some other good examples?)

    Now--you men out there--don't call me a man-ogynist. I'm not a hater. I'm not objectifying, or being mean. In fact, as I've mentioned before, I actually like men! But the facts need to be stated. And you can't deny that this is one (more) realm in which women get the short end of the stick. In all the examples I've mentioned, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to say which half of the couple--the male or the female--is more talented, while it's NOT at all hard to say which one is more attractive.

    NONETHELESS ... perhaps there is an argument to be made in favor of hot chicks hitching up with ugly dudes.

    A 2008 study found that found that married couples communicate more positively when wives are more attractive than their husbands. Which would indicate that they are more happy than peeps in who shack up with partners of equivalent attractiveness.

    Interesting, no?

    I say ... get me a Quasimodo!

    Lovelies: any thoughts on all this?

    xxx

    --------------

    commenters: I loved the discussion about casual sex! And I think all of you who said that *I* shouldn't be having it are 107% right. Noted. (Vestigial Catholic guilt too heavy: you and me both, Kay.) Rosie, Sky, Raye: I think it's true that some women can have casual sex--but not all of us can! I think Raye makes some interesting points--it's worth repeating that "casual sex" should only be about PLEASURE and not validation! And if you're going to do it, then pleas, be extra-careful about taking the proper birth control and STD precautions. ... Jenny: please keep shrinking me, sister, because you're good at it. You're not so bad at rooting for me, either--I like to hear it! ... And Edwinna--every day I'm called Sugar Pie is a good one.

    xxx

    Maura Kelly
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