It’s no secret that alcohol changes people. After a night of drinking, we’re often surprised by what we may or may not have done during a night of debauchery. Oftentimes we end up with great stories, but there are also those nights that leave us wondering how the hell we ended up on a stranger’s couch with only one shoe, a purse full of ping pong balls, and 17 new phone numbers in our phone (all listed under names like, “bathroom dude,” “cigarette guy,” and “hgjb52″) .

The truth is, alcohol lowers our inhibitions…and standards…for everything.  We do things when we’re drinking that we’d never, ever, in a million years consider when we’re sober (like mixing ranch dressing and brownies).

Here are five of the most common things that are oddly tolerable – and even preferred – when the booze is flowing through our systems:

The beer pong ball – Has anyone actually realized how unsanitary this thing is? Although no one EVER thinks about it when they’re playing, it’s pretty nasty. It’s falling on the floor (oftentimes a disgusting floor that hasn’t seen a mop since the between-tenants-landlord-cleaning) and god knows where else, but because you’re too drunk to notice how vile this is, you don’t care. Somehow it’s all okay because it’s been dipped into a cup of water. The same cup of water that was put there 2 hours before and  has been dipped into hundreds of times by people you may not even know (but may make out with later…)

Frat house bathrooms – As far as sh*tholes (literally) go, these may be the worst. I have been in ones that not only don’t have toilet paper (forcing me to use a crumpled up piece of notebook paper… I don’t wanna talk about it), but also contain a bathtub filled with things one would rather not think about, a sink that doesn’t work, and a door that doesn’t even fully close.  But because your drunk self needs to pee something awful, you will brave the bathroom anyway. And you might even sit, being that squatting takes concentration that your drunk ass can’t muster up. When nature calls, you answer. Even if the response is possibly hazardous to your health.

Creepy people hitting on you – Who hasn’t had this happen? Inevitably, everyone is much more confident when they’re drunk, and they throw caution to the wind. Sadly, this not only applies to attractive and normal individuals but also unfortunate looking and strange people, too. Yet, somehow, you don’t mind. In fact, due to your desire to swindle a free drink or those thick-ass beer goggles you’re wearing, you kinda like it. And may even leave with it…er…him.

Nudity - As a rule, most of us do not feel comfortable when sober to take off our clothes in front of complete strangers. Yet for some odd reason when we’re drunk, it seems acceptable. No, mandatory. Like, everyone just HAS to see my nipples. Need I go on?

Talking about taboo and inappropriate subjects – This is yet another side effect of increased confidence due to alcohol consumption. One begins to think that because they are drunk now would be an excellent time to talk about everything (“Wait, you poop twice a day? I poop twice a week!”) and everyone (“How do you not want to see your dad naked? He’s hot!”). Your sex life? Everyone should know! That time you vomited in your roommate’s closet and played dumb the next morning? Confession time! Your opinions about certain people that may or may not be in the vicinity? Who cares?!

BONUS: Becoming BFFs with that chick you’ve hated for years - Nothing brings out the love like a bottle of booze. She may have stabbed you in the back and made your life hell (or puked in your closet and played dumb the next morning), but now you’re drunk and hugging and you love her so much you just HAVE to do brunch next Sunday.  WTF?

Got any others?

[This story was originally posted by Amanda - Reed.]

Likey? Don’t worry, there are plenty more faves where this came from.

Is Lady Gaga gonna pull a Heidi Montag?

Beautiful fashion that’s good for Mother Earth.

What happened to Bret Michaels?

WTF is Martha Stewart doin’ in a frat house?

Britney Spears is on nipple watch.

Another bar fight for Snooks?

A wave of humid, stale air hits you the minute you step inside. You feel your hair instantly frizzing up. But the room is dark and every girl in there is suffering from the frizzies, so you pull it back, grab a few cans of (crappy) beer from yet another muscley frat boy and get your party on.

You’re dancing, sweating, having a good time when it hits you: you have to pee. And not just a little bit. A lot a bit.
As in, one more bump and grind and it will be dripping down your leg. You grab your friend, pull her close and scream into her ear, “BATHROOM!??” The music is so loud, though, she can’t hear you.

“WHAT?!” She mouths as she gets low, low, low, with a guy with giant pit stains. You try screaming again, but it’s no use. So you break out the gestures, pointing to your bladder then pointing in the direction of the stairs. She finally gets it, leaves her perspiring prince behind and joins you in the hunt for a clean-ish bathroom.

You climb the stairs, passing couples making out along the way. As you near the top you see a long string of girls lining the hallway. Obviously, this is the line for the bathroom. And obviously, you have no choice but to wait in it (because, unlike those boys, you can’t just head outside and empty your bladder into a bush).

The line moves slowly, giving you and your friend some time to reflect on the not-so-hottie she was getting dirty with on the dance floor. And the trashy girls coming out of the bathroom. And how drunk you are. And how if you wait one more second you are going to pee on your skirt.

Finally, it’s your turn. You and your friend run into the bathroom and lock the door behind you. Your friend holds your purse and fixes her hair as you attempt to hover over the seat-less bowl. You pray to the gods above that your legs don’t give out; who knows what sort of diseases lurk in the stains that litter the bowl. Thinking about it makes you throw up in your mouth a little, so you focus on the task at hand:

Hovering.

As you squat and release the 6 cans of beer you’ve consumed since entering this sweatbox you begin scanning the room for toilet paper. You see a couple Playboys, some condom wrappers, a notebook and a book of matches, but not one roll of TP. Anywhere. Your friend starts opening cabinets and drawers.

“There’s shaving cream, a bottle of lube and – ew! – a pair of dirty boxers, but no toilet paper,” she reports.

You weigh your options:
1. Drip dry. Ew, gross.
2. Notebook paper?
3. Drip dry. Ok, maybe not so gross.
4. Crumpled up magazine paper?
5. Drip drying may be the only option.
6. How many diseases could there really be in that pair of boxers?
7. Oh eff, I’m gonna have to drip dry.

You do a little shimmy shake, stand up and quickly pull up your undies. You no longer feel like you have to pee down your leg; instead you feel like you already did. You do a mini waddle to the sink, rinse your hands (because, obvi, there is no soap), grab your purse and exit the bathroom.

Yeah, we’ve all been there. You are not the first girl to contemplate the notebook paper, and definitely not the last to leave the bathroom with a little pee pee in your panties.

It’s no secret that alcohol changes people. After a night of drinking, we’re often surprised by what we may or may not have done during a night of debauchery. Oftentimes we end up with great stories, but there are also those nights that leave us wondering how the hell we ended up on a stranger’s couch with only one shoe, a purse full of ping pong balls, and 17 new phone numbers in our phone (all listed under names like, “bathroom dude,” “cigarette guy,” and “hgjb52″) .

The truth is, alcohol lowers our inhibitions…and standards…for everything.  We do things when we’re drinking that we’d never, ever, in a million years consider when we’re sober (like mixing ranch dressing and brownies).

Here are five of the most common things that are oddly tolerable – and even preferred – when the booze is flowing through our systems:

The beer pong ball – Has anyone actually realized how unsanitary this thing is? Although no one EVER thinks about it when they’re playing, it’s pretty nasty. It’s falling on the floor (oftentimes a disgusting floor that hasn’t seen a mop since the between-tenants-landlord-cleaning) and god knows where else, but because you’re too drunk to notice how vile this is, you don’t care. Somehow it’s all okay because it’s been dipped into a cup of water. The same cup of water that was put there 2 hours before and  has been dipped into hundreds of times by people you may not even know (but may make out with later…)

Frat house bathrooms – As far as sh*tholes (literally) go, these may be the worst. I have been in ones that not only don’t have toilet paper (forcing me to use a crumpled up piece of notebook paper… I don’t wanna talk about it), but also contain a bathtub filled with things one would rather not think about, a sink that doesn’t work, and a door that doesn’t even fully close.  But because your drunk self needs to pee something awful, you will brave the bathroom anyway. And you might even sit, being that squatting takes concentration that your drunk ass can’t muster up. When nature calls, you answer. Even if the response is possibly hazardous to your health.

Creepy people hitting on you – Who hasn’t had this happen? Inevitably, everyone is much more confident when they’re drunk, and they throw caution to the wind. Sadly, this not only applies to attractive and normal individuals but also unfortunate looking and strange people too. Yet, somehow, you don’t mind. In fact, due to your desire to swindle a free drink or those thick-ass beer goggles you’re wearing, you kinda like it. And may even leave with it…er…him.

Nudity - As a rule, most of us do not feel comfortable when sober to take off our clothes in front of complete strangers. Yet for some odd reason when we’re drunk, it seems acceptable. No, mandatory. Is there any more explanation needed?

Talking about taboo and inappropriate subjects – This is yet another side effect of increased confidence due to alcohol consumption. One begins to think that because they are drunk now would be an excellent time to talk about everything and everyone. Your sex life? Everyone should know! That time you vomited in your roommate’s closet and played dumb the next morning? Confession time! Your opinions about certain people that may or may not be in the vicinity? Who cares?!

BONUS: Becoming BFFs with that chick you’ve hated for years - Nothing brings out the love like a bottle of booze. She may have stabbed you in the back and made your life hell, but now you’re drunk and hugging and you love her so much you just HAVE to do brunch next Sunday.  WTF?

Got any others?

Y’all are great neighbors, you really are. I enjoy your Solo-cup adorned front lawn. I love your broken air conditioner sitting out back. I enjoy your creative use of Keystones as decorations. But we really must talk about your noise levels.

Now, I’m a college kid too and I also quite enjoy partying from time to time. Thursday night? Yes. Friday night? Sure. Saturday night? Count me in. Monday night at 4am? Not so much.

You guys seem to want to party at all hours, everyday. I might be OK with that if there weren’t all those other problems. I mean, you guys are loud all. the. time. Like that weekend you had music blasting for 72 hours in a row – I’m pretty positive you just let your speakers run for 3 days straight. 3am Wednesday night listening to The Beach Boys? I don’t think you’re having a rager… And, umm, it’s about negative 6 degrees out…do you really find The Beach Boys appropriate?

And what are you thinking playing “Let’s Get It On” at a speaker-breaking volume level? I don’t think any of you are actually getting it on. In fact, I’m pretty sure this would send any girl running, even a highly intoxicated one. So why oh why must the music be on? Doesn’t it annoy you?

I know it annoys me. I also know I have a test in the morning.

And on another note, it’s great that you are so, umm, invested in your brotherhood that you haze until the wee hours of the morning. But when I’m trying to sleep I don’t want to hear your pledges yelling: “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!” I don’t want to get used to it. I want to sleep. My window is closed, my head is buried under a pillow and I can still hear your pledges crying.

Please, I beg of you dear neighbors, calm down a little bit. Maybe bring your volume down to like a 2? Or a 4? I’d even take a volume level of 5.6. Please my fratty friends, help me get a complete night of sleep, and maybe you can get some rest too! Win-win situation!

Love,

Sleepless in Syracuse

[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like, we hate how Walmart treats its employees…but we love the low prices! Or, we love how that boy makes us laugh….but we hate that he has no motivation in life. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!

There are so many difficult choices in life (do we love or hate high heels??), so we thought we’d sort through ‘em right here. Every week we will discuss another issue we are torn up about. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!]

I’ll admit, I have a love/hate relationship with the Frat Boy. Although I have dated one in the past, my conflicting opinions have nothing to do with him specifically, but more to Frat Boys in general. For some reason I’m completely drawn to them and their collar popping ways, but somehow repelled at the same time. I’m still unsure where I stand at the end of the day, so let me lay out the pros and cons of the archetypal frat boy:

Pros:

They like to have fun: These boys know how to have fun, they can always make you laugh and they definitely know where the party’s at. (Editor’s Note: in their pants.)

Frat boys = self esteem boosters: Although many could debate this, I find it extremely flattering to hear that some frat brothers think I’m cute.

They have the comfiest clothes: There’s something extremely satisfying about walking around the frat house in (just) his fraternity hoodie.

We just want to fix them!: I’ve always wanted to find that outwardly disgusting frat boy and turn him into a respectable gentleman…or at least respectable enough to get the OK from my girls. “See! He is more than the champion shot gunner!”

Not all frat boys are disgusting: While they may be jerks and d-bags on the outside, it’s fun to find the sensitive ones that are lurking inside the frat house (behind the beer-soaked couch).  Trust me ladies, these boys are rare, but they do exist. And finding something so rare makes it all the more precious.

Cons:

Frat houses are disgusting: I’ve been in some that should be condemned. Seriously, they should either get their pledges to clean up or hire a maid. Sometimes I have no idea why a girl in her right mind would ever stay over. But I have also been that girl (see above pros!).

His frat brothers are gross: I’ve had to pee in the stall next to a guy “doing his business.” What made it even worse was that he tried to strike up a conversation with me…while he was doin’ his business. Eww. Eww. EWWW!

Drinking becomes their way of life: Now, I like to party as much as the next college girl, but I think these boys tend to take it a little too far. I mean, as much as I want to enjoy my college experience, I’m not paying the big bucks to get drunk on cheap beer every night of the week. Maybe if they added a little variety to their partying routine…

They live by the motto “bros before hoes”: I’m all for sticking by my girlfriends, chicks before dicks and all that, but seriously? You’d choose to side with an immature boy over your hot girlfriend? Bad call, frat boy. A bad call indeed.

Even after laying down all of this information, I’m still torn. Does a gross house weigh more heavily than a boy who can make me laugh? I just don’t know. What do you think?

So you’re ready to meet the man of your dreams…all you need to do is find him. But you’ve been hanging out at the bars every Friday and Saturday night, been attending all of your business classes, and you’ve even been hanging out at your school’s football, baseball, and track practices daily. This whole trying to find a boy thing is getting tiring, isn’t it?

Well ladies, don’t fear; because as usual, Cosmo is here to tell you how to find the man of your dreams. And they’re telling us that we need to stop going to the bars and frat houses and we need to start hanging out at our local Apple store.

Cosmo explains that not only is the store filled with tons of smart hotties but, “The vibe at the stores is conducive to man meeting…”

I mean, I guess it makes some sense. You do have smart, cute men hanging out at the store checking out the latest computers and gadgets. So yes, the men are there, but do they really want to be bothered by us? I’m not so sure.

I’m trying to figure out the exact tactic I would use upon entering the Apple store and scoping out a tech-cutie. Do I sneak up behind him as he’s checking his e-mail? Or do I play dumb and ask him questions about what a gigabyte is or how to burn a CD? Maybe I ask him to list the positives and negatives of the iPhone. Or, if all else fails, I can “accidentally” drop an iPod in front of him and seductively bend down to pick it up and get his attention.

Let’s be honest with ourselves here. Sure the Apple store is filled with hotties, but these hotties are on a mission: to test out and purchase some technology. Not to pick you up. No matter how beautiful and fabulous of a girl you are, there’s no way you can be as pretty as a brand new MacBook.

It’s back to the bars for me.

After our recent post about choosing to live in the same dorm as your significant other, I thought I’d bring up a similar topic I’m struggling with: should you start a relationship with a roommate?

My current financial situation means I had to make a few compromises when looking for a new apartment. First off, I had to move to a shady neighborhood. And not just a put-away-your-ipod kind of neighborhood, but a maybe-you-should-carry-pepper-spray-and-also-possibly-a-knife kind of place. Secondly, I moved in with three boys.

Yes, I know, I’m living in a glorified frat house: Scarface posters on the wall, 2 years worth of grime in the tub (so much for a relaxing post-work soak) and a fridge full of beer and moldy food. When I arrived to take a look around and put down my deposit, however, I soon realized that these were the least of my problems; one of my roommates is cute.

I figured the likelihood of us hitting it off was slim to none, so I tried not to worry about it too much. As I settled into my new pad, however, it became apparent that sparks were flying. We shared similar interests, exchanged little flirty comments back and forth, and started making plans. We even built a fort in the living room, draping the couches and chairs with blankets and writing “FORT” on a cardboard box outside our creation, just in case anyone was confused.

Last week, we tried to see a movie but it was sold out, so we wandered around the neighborhood, romantically lit by streetlights. I was freezing cold, so he put his arm around me to keep me warm. Then…we kissed.

And I panicked. I like this guy! He likes me! WE SHARE A BATHROOM.

I told him right away I thought it was a bad idea to date a roommate, but since we really dig each other, we should consider keeping an open mind and seeing what happens. I’m just worried that we don’t know each other well enough to fast forward directly to the living-together phase.

What do you think? Is dating a roommate the ultimate in convenience or a recipe for disaster?