While Mother Nature may still be busy making up her mind, one thing is for certain: spring is here. It’s safe to say we can finally store our UGGs away for the season and bring out our flip-flops and dresses from the closet. With a salute to spring, we can finally relax and enjoy the great warm-weather activities that make the spring season so great. In describing her perfect date, Cheryl Frasier (aka Miss Rhode Island) said in Miss Congeniality, “A perfect date is not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket”. And she’s right. And what better way to celebrate spring than with your significant other? Steer away from the cheesy dinner-and-movie dates and think outside (literally) the box with these fun date ideas.

initiating the gallery...

[lead image via Sweetlana / Shutterstock]

[If you're anything like us here at CollegeCandy HQ, you've been so busy making your Halloween costume and stuffing your face with candy corn that you missed the whole "World Series is happening" memo. Yeah, that thing, the most important series in baseball, is starting tonight. But don't worry; we reached out to our all-knowing sports fanatic dude to get all the deets.

Below, everything you need to know about this year's World Series match-up. Read it, learn it, know it....then follow along and wow your boys with your impressive sports knowledge.]

When the World Series starts tonight most of America will be wondering where A-Rod and Derek Jeter are. No, folks, the New York Yankees aren’t back in the World Series trying for their 28th championship. Not interested? You’re not alone. The vast majority of this country won’t be paying attention to the World Series between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants. And it’s unfortunate. They’ll be missing two of the best teams in baseball with some of the top pitchers to come around in a while. And if you’re looking for juicy stories, this series may have some of the juiciest in a long time.

What is it: The Major League Baseball World Series features the winners of the American League and the winners of the National League in a best-of-seven games series to determine the world champion. Whichever team wins four games first, wins the series.

This year: The San Francisco Giants (NL winners) will play the Texas Rangers (AL winners). It’s the Giants’ third World Series appearance since moving to San Francisco from New York in 1958 (1989 and 2002 are the other two). It’s the Rangers’ first World Series appearance since it was founded in 1972.

About the Rangers: Texas lives and dies on its pitching, thanks in large part to new owner and former Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan. He went to an old-school mentality and trained his pitchers to throw more innings. It was widely ridiculed around baseball because teams invest so much money into their pitchers. But it worked. And when the Rangers traded for pitcher Cliff Lee, who has struck out 34 batters in the playoffs and walked just one, they became the team to beat in the American League.

But…

The Rangers also feature some of the best hitters in baseball in Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young.

About the Giants: In the Year of the Pitcher, it’s hard to bet against Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, the 26-year-old two-time Cy Young winner (the award given to the best pitcher) with the long, shaggy hair. Just look at the guy; you’d think he’s covering a Led Zeppelin song before he’s starting a World Series game. But this series isn’t just about Lincecum or any other Giants pitcher. Giants such as rookie catcher Buster Posey, who is the front runner for NL Rookie of the Year, Aubrey Huff, Edgar Renteria, Juan Uribe, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand, are also worth watching.

The juicy gossip: Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton is a Hollywood-esque success story. After being the first pick in the 1999 MLB draft, Hamilton spiraled out of control starting in 2001, falling out of baseball while become a drug addict and alcoholic. He declared himself clean in October 2005 and started his road back to the majors in 2007. In March, it was reported that Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season. Rangers’ management allowed him to keep his job and he rewarded them with the team’s first World Series.

Impress him with this: Alex Rodriguez used to play for the Rangers … Former President George W. Bush used to own the team … The Giants’ last World Series championship came in 1954 … Rangers catcher Bengie Molina will get a World Series ring regardless if Texas loses because he started the season on the Giants.

World Series schedule (All Games on Fox)

Game 1 — Wednesday
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57p.m. EST

Game 2 — Thursday
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57 p.m. EST

Game 3 — Saturday
San Francisco at Texas, 6:57 p.m. EST

Game 4 — Sunday
San Francisco at Texas, 8:20 p.m. EST

Game 5 — Monday (If necessary)
San Francisco at Texas, 7:57 p.m. EST

Game 6 — Nov. 3 (If necessary)
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57 p.m. EST

Game 7 — Nov. 4 (If necessary)
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57 p.m. EST

A very special thanks to our pal Josh for bringing us up to speed.

Fall is in full swing. The pumpkin spice lattes are a part of your daily ritual. You’ve broken in your new fall boots. You’ve given up that whole turning over a new leaf idea – you know, the one that involved getting your homework done on time. And hey, just in time for midterms too.

Mid semester exams are inevitable. And annoying. Just when you’ve started to think you could get away with not doing any of the reading for your classes and getting all of your notes online (from the comfort of your futon), midterms rear their ugly heads.

Essays?
Quotation identifications?

You are not prepared for this. Time for some serious studying, right? Not just yet, there are a few things you really need to do first….

10. Clean up. Wow your keyboard is really filthy. And your screen? How could you even see? This needs to be done now. Or you’ll never clean it. No time like the present, right? Where’s that Windex?

9. Did your phone just ring? Your BlackBerry just buzzed. That could be important. An e-mail from a professor? A question from a friend? You’re still waiting to hear back about that internship.  Just check… really quickly.

8. Check your Facebook. That text Sarah sent you said that McHottie hooked up with that girl from your bio class this weekend. But you’re not sure how reliable of a source she is. There have to be pictures if it happened right? Just scroll through the newsfeed. You won’t be able to concentrate until you know.

7. Make yourself a snack. You’re starving. You should probably eat something. Brain food. Like fish. No. But there’s a vending machine right down the hall. There’s bound to be something full of dark chocolate there. That’s good for you, isn’t it? And while we’re on the topic, wine’s a brain food these days too, right?

6. Visit your favorite websites. You just want to check your daily websites. College Candy. College Fashion. Texts From Last Night. The usual. It’s not your fault there’s so many awesome new articles up. It’s better you read them now before you really get into your work. Plus, you’ve been busy. You could use a break, really.

5. Oops! Forgot to check Twitter!

4. Watch your favorite show. Okay. So you can hear your roommate watching TV from the other room. You look at the clock. Yep. There’s a Kardashian marathon on. And, wait, is that the KHLOE AND LAMAR WEDDING?! What’s another hour (or 3)? It’s the wedding…and you’ve been PMSing…you could use a good cry. Let it all out, girlfriend.

3. Take up a new hobby. What’s that? Your boyfriend is watching baseball? Well, you’ve never really been a fan before, but these are the important games aren’t they? And it’s important to take an interest in things he enjoys. Maybe he could explain to you what’ going on as you watch…

2. Change your scenery. You know, with all these distractions, you really need to get out of the house. You’ll really get more done if you’re at the library. Just pack up your things and go…

1. Talk to a friend. Is that Melissa sitting over there by the computer? You haven’t seen her in days. It won’t hurt to say a quick hello. I mean, you don’t wanna be rude. It’s common courtesy, people. Just a little holler and then you’re on your way…

If you can find an empty table, that is.

What are your favorite ways to put off studying for midterms? Are you a professional procrastinator or do you get things done quickly?

….I think my preferred method is pretty obvious.

Got a special place in your heart for top 10 lists? We do and we’ve got some doozies.  Get ‘em all out right here.

I must admit, I did get swept up in this year’s World Cup. What’s so wrong about cheering for the U.S. as if I actually understand what’s going on? So what if I hesitated each time before saying “score!” because I wasn’t sure if it was the correct terminology in soccer.

One thing’s for sure: even for someone who doesn’t quite understand sports (ahem, myself), it sure is fun watching those sexy men run up and down a field (court? stadium?). So here are my top reasons why athletes are a particular breed of mouth-watering man candy.

They sweat
Something about a guy getting all hot and steamy is just irresistible. Sure wouldn’t mind hitting the showers with them after the game… Okay, I’m getting carried away here, but seriously, it must be some kind of primal attraction that draws us to perspiration.

They show their badass side
When opposing team members get all up in each others’ space, penalties are called, yellow cards tossed out, a whole bunch of other sports jargon I don’t know, it is just plain exciting. Who doesn’t have just a little bit of a weakness for guys opposing authority and getting into trouble?

They have muscles
And lots of them. Especially in the abs region. Anyone want to join my organization to make all sports shirtless?

They are a package deal
Most spectator sports are played in teams. Teams mean hoards of attractive men in one place. A bunch of guys, even only somewhat good-looking guys, become instantly hotter when they are together. Simple as that.

They are successful
Alright, now I don’t mean this in a gold-digging, materialistic way, but an athlete’s celeb status really only adds to his appeal. We can’t deny our love for male celebrities, and athletes just take it a step further with their sporty skills.

They are passionate
You know if a guy is playing a sport professionally, he’s gotta be in love with the game. Just think of how devoted he could be to some lucky lady (namely, me). Knowing a guy is determined in one aspect of his life makes a gal confident he’s that hard-working in a relationship.

So keep ogling those athletes; it’s the most exciting part of watching a game anyway.

I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like the longer our relationship goes on, the greater the pressure there is to give him a seriously kick ass gift. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s “the thought that counts” and yes, David would be equally happy with an iPod or a 3 day cruise (speaking from experience…unless he was just faking his excitement to make me feel better). I just love the process of finding the perfect gift for my perfect boyfriend. (I feel the same way about gift giving in general. It takes me a solid 2 months to Christmas shop.) And after 2 and a half years, I’ve built a pretty impressive record for gift giving.

Of course there are the times when I get it totally wrong (I thought getting him a sex toy for graduation was both hilarious and practical- he did not agree), and those are the gifts that haunt my memory while I try to find his 23^rd birthday present.

It can be hard shopping for your boyfriend. You know him so well, you should be able to spot from a mile away the thing or experience he’d love most. But, unfortunately it’s not always that easy. So whether you’ve got a boyfriend with a summer birthday, your anniversary is coming up, or you just want to surprise him with a little something, I’ve compiled a go-to boyfriend gift guide. Happy shopping!

Hobby Gifts

Does your man have a passion or pastime that he absolutely loves? What about getting him an upscale accessory? David is chess obsessed, so I’ve been trolling the internets to find a nice chess set for him. Does your boyfriend love poker? Check out this Texas Hold ‘Em chip set with a table (and it’s only $99!) For bonus points, tell him to invite the boys over for a poker night, complete with man-food and his favorite beer provided by you.

Dating an athlete?

Well, even if you’re not, chances are the guy you’re dating loves a certain sport (or all of them). If he’s baseball obsessed check out this cool score ticker. David’s been obsessed with it since he saw it at the mall, so it’s definitely on my list of possibilities for him. If your man is more the kind of guy who likes to get in on the action, think about signing him up for a sports league. Depending on where you live and what sport you register him for, prices range from around $50- $75 for seasons that last for a few months. A lot of leagues have happy hour specials and post-game sponsor bars with drink specials included in the registration fee.

Road Trip!

Take advantage of summer time, gas up your tank and pack him a weekend bag without him noticing. Tell him you guys have to go run errands, and hit the open road. Blind folds are optional (and awesome) and so is telling him where you’re headed. Check out what deals are around where you’re living. Hit an amusement park for the weekend (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is calling my name), see if you can rent a beachfront condo (or better yet, ask a friend or relative if you can stay there for two nights), check out last minute hotel deals near the beach. Even if you stay in or near your hometown, staying in a sweet hotel will make it feel like a vacay. And the weather is gorgeous (but the mosquitoes haven’t noticed yet) so why not go camping for the weekend? Use your imagination and get excited to totally sweep your boyfriend off his feet.

If all else fails…turn to video games.

No matter how old he’s turning, he probably still loves video games. Here are the hottest video games out right now, ranked by sales. Just make sure you get a game that’s compatible with his system, and when in doubt, call his best friend to ask what they’ve been playing lately.

What’s the next gift you’re thinking of giving your boyfriend? Do you have a tried and true method for picking the perfect present? If so, let’s hear it!

Welcome back to The Rival Rundown! If you’ve always wanted to give props to your school on CC, now’s your chance! Shoot us an email explaining what’s awesome and unique about your school (or what stinks about Rival U) at

This week begins the World Series, the premier sporting championship in the nation (at least in my opinion–why have one night of the Superbowl when you can have at least four nights of nail-biting, crowd-rousing suspense?). While the world obsesses over the current New York-Philadelphia rivalry, let’s take a look at another – between Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania.  The only two Ivy League schools with truly urban campuses, Columbia and UPenn are champion institutions themselves. But who will come out on top? Best of five wins…

1. Mascot Matchup

Columbia- Don some baby-blue and white to cheer on the Lions, so named for the university’s heritage as King’s College (referring to the King of England, whose coat of arms portrays a lion).
UPenn- The Penn Quakers pay homage to the Society of Friends (aka the Quakers), the religious affiliation of the settlers of Pennsylvania. The largest Quaker-fest occurs each spring at Penn Relays, a prestigious and historic track-and-field event attracting students from high schools and colleges across the country.

Three credits to: UPenn. How could you not love a team named the Quakers? Who doesn’t love oatmeal?

2. Late-Night Munchies

Columbia- After an evening of criss-crossing Morningside Heights, stop by Koronet’s Pizza where a classic New York slice will set you back $3.50. If you think that’s expensive, consider that the slice takes up the entire length of your forearm.
UPenn- If you’re in Philly, you gotta have a cheesesteak. The all-American concoction of sliced steak and cheddar cheese on a hoagie (that’s right) is the most mouth-watering attraction in the city, and UPenn students get their fix at Pat’s King of Steaks, open 24/7.  Get a standard for $7.50.

Three Credits to:  Columbia, where you get more bang (and crust, and sauce, and cheese) for your buck!

3. Terrific Traditions

Columbia- Each spring, Columbians clamor to attend the Varsity Show, a fundraiser for the athletics team that takes the form of a student-written, produced, and performed production that satirizes every part of life at Columbia and current events.
UPenn- The Quakers sure are Friend-ly: each year on Hey Day, the outgoing senior class will “haze” the junior class, covering them with food as they pass through the quad, where representatives from each class then give speeches and the junior class is officially introduced as seniors.

Three credits to:  Columbia, for the ingenuity.

4. Ass-kicking Alumni

Columbia- Barack Obama, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allen Ginsberg, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon
UPenn-Ben Franklin, Donald Trump, Chaim Potok, Dick Wolf (creator of Law & Order), William Carlos Williams, Tory Burch

Three credits to:  UPenn (Ben Franklin shaped democracy as we know it, and Trump is his own freakin’ brand of capitalism).

5. Acceptance Rate Agony (for the class of 2012)

Columbia- 10%
UPenn- 16.9%

Three credits to: Columbia

And the diploma goes to: Columbia! In this series, the title goes to New York and the Lions. For Philadelphia afficionados, better luck on the field this week!

A guide to makeup brushes.

Get a freaking room, Speidi!

Need to file taxes?

Sad ending for Angels pitcher.

Derek Jeter is absolutely the total package: drop-dead-gorgeous, an all-star athlete, charming, and above all, a true gentleman.  Ladies have been on deck to eff the champion charmer since his rookie days in 1996. Leading the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five years as a major leaguer, Jeter’s also been named Rookie of the Year, World Series MVP,  and All-Star MVP, among other awards. (Hey Jete, is that a Golden Glove in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?)

Jeter’s always been an example of terrific sportsmanship. He always puts the Yankees first, and gives his unwavering support for teammates even as they face hardship such as injury or steroid-use allegations.  “We just want to win,” he says of the Bronx Bombers. “That’s the bottom line.” And unlike many athletes who are all talk and no action, Jeter backs up his claims by making jaw-dropping catches and swift double-plays. Have you seen this diving catch he made into the stands? His body sure must be durable–I wonder what else it’s capable of doing….

But aside from his achievements on the baseball diamond, Jeter’s a star off the field, too. He’s got a smooth sense of humor (evident from his appearances on Saturday Night Live), is a Midwestern boy at heart, and he knows how to party! Frequently spotted at New York nightclubs (work hard, play hard, right?), I not-so-secretly hope to run into him one of these days.

Jeter is known to be a bit of a playboy, having dated such celebrities as Mariah Carey, Jordana Brewster, and Jessica Biel. Despite his scorecard with women, however, I still rank the Yankee Number 2 as my MVE (Most Valuable Eff). So Jete, anytime you want to up your batting average, give me a call and you can score a couple of homers!

Leave your own overheard convos in the comments.]

“She wants me to come see some play with her. Something… something monologues. Vagina monologues? What… what is that? Is that seriously the name of a play? What the f*** is that about? Dude, I’m not going, that sounds creepy.”

“I’ve never had fifty dollars to spend on hurting myself for sexual pleasure before.”

“I got you a DanceOn thigh supporter. For a hands-free approach to your thighs! Tired of your thighs spilling everywhere while you’re dancing? Now you don’t have to be!”

“You’re whipped, man.”

“Not quite. The problem is that my girlfriend has way more testosterone than I do. I’m pinned down by the weight of her scrotum.”

(singing) “The sun will come out… this morning…”

“Tomorrow?”

“What?”

“The sun will come out tomorrow.”

“I don’t get it. The sun does come out in the morning, right?”

“Okay! So who wants to play strip poker – without the poker?”

“Well, this beer looks okay, except that you can’t put it down anywhere. You also might get botulism and die.”

“Fine. Hook me up.”

“What? He doesn’t know what ‘rosebud’ is? That’s like not knowing that Darth Vader is Luke’s father! Sweetie, you’re not allowed to date this boy anymore. He sounds like riff-raff.”

“You’re a sports writer. You’re supposed to be writing about sports. How was the baseball score ‘I want to bang Miley Cyrus’?”

“Don’t blame me, man, blame the game. You weren’t there.”

“Is ‘All The Single Ladies’ a major?”

“So my landlord comes in like ‘bitch where’s my money’ and I’m all ‘no man, don’t got no money, but do you want a pancake?’”

“Did he want a pancake?”

“Well, he took one. But I still got evicted.”

“Oh, wow, that’s genius. We’re gonna write all this s*** down, and we’ll wake up tomorrow and suddenly the whole world will make sense. We’re like Einstein.”

“Right, if Einstein just got drunk and barfed everywhere instead of inventing the atom bomb.”

But I think this is taking dedication too far.

A 37-year-old Alabama middle-school teacher is being accused of sleeping with 8 members of her middle school’s baseball team. 8 members. All under the age of 17 years old.

Julie Pritchett was apparently already having an affair with one 15 year old boy on the team when she woke up and decided that one little boy wasn’t enough. She wanted 7 more! Because who isn’t into having their own little coven of teenage boys? It’s like Snow White! Except instead of dwarfs and singing animals, you get a possible 20 year jail sentence for being a sexual predator! Yay!

As someone who finds men her own age alarmingly immature, I will never understand the issue of grown women boinking teenage boys. Obviously, there’s some mental problems there, but doesn’t she have a memory? Aren’t her own awkward high school experiences still bouncing around somewhere, begging her to remember what teenage boys are like? But perhaps that’s the problem. Maybe she never got any in high school. Maybe she’s trying to relive her teenage days 20 years too late. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. It’s still so. very. WRONG.