I’ve got a problem. And my problem’s got a name. It’s Emily.

For some reason, Emily has decided to make my life a misery. She insults me to my face, tells my friends I talk about them behind their backs, tells people lies about me, and tons of other fun stuff.

Well, recently, I realized I really liked my best friend (which was awkward at first…). Emily found out and went around telling everyone that he was disgusted and freaked out.

What do I do about this girl? I’ve tried telling her to leave me alone. I’ve tried pretending she isn’t there. But this chick is out to get me for some wacky reason

Ahh! I’m going to pull my hair out!!!  She’s driving me loony. Help! 
Becky

—

Dear Becky,

Emily is a vampire. And not the cool mysterious twilight sorta vampire. The wow-you-really-suck kinda vampire.

She, for whatever reason, sees you as a threat and therefore lobs all these attacks on you.

My advice: sometime when all is calm in the world, you need to confront her and let her know you don’t have a problem with her and ask why she is slinging crap your way.

She will either….

[A] deny it (likely)
[B] get upset and yell at you (also likely)
[C] apologize and then hug you and give you $20 (don’t count on it)

My hope is that by confronting her, you’ll take some wind out of her sails.

If all else fails, blow her off, who cares what she says, don’t let it bother you…cause if you do- she wins.

Also, I probably should have referenced garlic somehow. And wooden stakes. 

// josh

I don’t really know who you are and what you stand for, but I looked at some of your advice and it looks pretty solid so now I have a pretty big question for you.

This girl at my school really loves herself and hates me for some reason. I’ve never done anything to her (at least not intentionally) but she calls me a freak. She doesn’t call it to my face  but she tells my friends, her friends, and anyone else she knows not to hang out with me because I’m a freak. We don’t run into the same social circles and I barely talk to her, but she constantly refers to me as a “goody two-shoes” and says I rig all of the school events. I’m sick of it. I love myself as a person but it still gets old and I don’t want total strangers to think the things she says are true. 

So, how do I defend myself? I have friends so I’m not alone but still. What is up? 

She’s not a model but she’s decent so no one can say she’s jealous. She comes from a good family, she’s financially supported, so what could I have done? I want her to confront me and stop calling me a freak in private. I don’t want to make enemies but I won’t deal with trash-talking. I’ve tried to confront her but she won’t let me get a word in and her friends get in my face.

A little help? What’s your take?

Holly

—

Yo Holly,

Welcome to Hey Josh. Here are my thoughts: 

Numero Uno: This chick is intimidated by you. (What? Who me?!? I’m not intimidating?!?) Uhh, you may not understand why, but my guess is that she is. Maybe you’re ok with being yourself and maybe she isn’t. Or maybe you are better liked by someone she wishes liked her. Maybe you are awesome at Guitar Hero IV and her? Not so much. 

Numero Dos: You should say something to her. Not in a “hey, I wanna knife-fight you” sorta way but in a “hey, I don’t know what I ever did to you but may I ask why you talk about me behind my back?” sorta way. And try to find a time when she isn’t surrounded by all of her friends. Chances are she’ll be shocked that you actually said something to her and hopefully it’ll shut her down. 

Remember old-school Mario Brothers? There were these ghosts in the game that chased you. That is, until you turned around and faced them. Don’t get the Mario reference? My apologies. 

Numero Tres: In life some people will like you and some won’t. Those who do? Cool. Those who don’t? Cool.

In your face, but on your side,

// josh

Yes, you…the one trying to blow up marshmallow peeps in the microwave.

Daniel has some trust issues. You have some brilliant wisdom. You two make a great pair. Blow his mind with your insightful tokens of advice.

Shaken, not stirred,

// josh

Hey Josh,

In my past couple of relationships, I’ve had major trust issues. I analyze everything and seem to think that no girl can tell the truth at any time. Do you have any advice on how I can get over my trust issues?

-Daniel

If you didn’t get a chance to see it, here is the latest video installment from Hey Josh.  If you have a friend who needs to see this, send them a link to http://HeyJosh.com/date.

You can make an avatar that looks just like you, go shopping, earn spending money and create chic, original looks and post your looks on the site blog so everyone can see how great you look. (Beware: You will get hooked for HOURS!) Below is your trusty blogger in a sleek A-line dress and smashing knee highs!

Contest: Time to get creative, gals. How sharp is your fashion styling? Send us your most excellently dressed avatars AND a picture of yourself styled like your virtual paper doll and the picture that looks most like their avatar wins! Is the prize paper dolls, you ask? No! A swag bag of the best in Japanese style, of course…fun things from Hello Kitty, Harajuku Lovers treats, and some wildly hip Japanese fashion magazines.

The show, about wholesome 15-year-old Amy Juergens who makes a major mistake one night at band camp and ends up majorly pregnant, presents a somewhat realistic view on teen pregnancy. The acting, however, is not-so realistic and the writing is just plain cheesy. The show does have its charms though like sarcastic little sister, Ashley (played by India Eisley), who has a brilliant, dry remark for every situation or Daren Kagasoff who makes arrogant bad boy (and Amy’s baby daddy) Ricky come across as vulnerable and endearing.

Last night’s episode ended with a couple of “I do’s” but the real shock was the previews for the upcoming season! A Ricky-Amy-Ben love triangle?!?! The possibility of adoption?! Oh yeah, and the actual birth of Amy’s baby!! It’s definitely going to be an interesting season.

You’ve heard my thoughts, now it’s time to share yours. What did you think of last night’s episode? What do you love and hate about this show? Who should Amy be with: Ben or Ricky? (My vote’s for Ricky; Ben’s just kind of annoying!) How realistic do you think this show really is? Does anyone have any real life experience to share from? Sound off here!!

photo courtesy of Craig Sjodin/ABC Family

So what do you guys think?  Is it good to start on your career while you’re in still high school?  Or is it better to focus on class and being a teenager?  Also, for any of you skilled sewers and design mavens out there looking to start your own line someday, send us pictures of your creations.  We want to share your creativity on the site!  (And if you send us samples we have a very handsome model named Josh who will be happy to pose for the site in your hottest looks…)

BTW, bonus points if you can name who this model is and what TV show made her a STAH.

You may have felt alone with all the ads targeting guys in the gaming world. And why wouldn’t you? Up until now, game marketing gurus have written you off, opting for the shooting-racing-sporting-blood-and-guts fest games because they thought that only boys like to have some fun gaming. Sure, some girls might like to get in on the action/adventure/gorefest train, but not many.  Or so they thought!

Now they’ve come to realize that the girl market is much bigger than they’d thought, and has a lot of room to just keep on growing. Their research shows that girls prefer “social and collaborative games with less competition and more opportunity for personalization and nurturing.”

So, gaming girls out there, speak out! Do you like to race, to fight, to play b-ball with your controller? Or are you into High School Musical 3, Rock Band, or something altogether off the charts? Gab about your gaming style here! Guys, feel free to chime in on what you like to play, too.