As seen on the show, Tyra is proud to be working with Brooklyn's Lincoln High School through the nonprofit organization PENCIL. PENCIL builds and supports relationships between business leaders and principals to inspire innovation and transform New York City public schools. Find out how you can start a PENCIL partnership of your own at www.pencil.org.

As seen on the show, Tyra is proud to be working with Brooklyn's Lincoln High School through the nonprofit organization PENCIL. PENCIL builds and supports relationships between business leaders and principals to inspire innovation and transform New York City public schools. Find out how you can start a PENCIL partnership of your own at www.pencil.org.

According to www.loveisnotabuse.com, nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship says a boyfriend has threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a break-up. That IS NOT love.

America’s Next Top Model winner, Jaslene Gonzalez, learned this lesson the hard way, and now she’s helping other women and teens free themselves of abusive relationships through her “Love is not Abuse” campaign. If you, or someone you know, is in an abusive relationship, visit www.loveisnotabuse.com for resources and help.

According to www.loveisnotabuse.com, nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship says a boyfriend has threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a break-up. That IS NOT love.

America’s Next Top Model winner, Jaslene Gonzalez, learned this lesson the hard way, and now she’s helping other women and teens free themselves of abusive relationships through her “Love is not Abuse” campaign. If you, or someone you know, is in an abusive relationship, visit www.loveisnotabuse.com for resources and help.

Rachel's first rendezvous with an online date may have been promising, but her second left something to be desired...like manners.

Rachel's first rendezvous with an online date may have been promising, but her second left something to be desired...like manners.

Before we went out, I had promised her the best date of her life. I had to let her know I wasn’t some schmuck like most guys.

Before we went out, I had promised her the best date of her life. I had to let her know I wasn’t some schmuck like most guys.

“My expectations of my first date with Mike were high because he told me it would be the best date ever,” she wrote in a date review for a dating column I used to write in a local magazine.

“I thought, ‘what would this guy do differently than any other guy?’ Did Mike’s date live up to my expectations? In short, yes.

In fact, she has said “yes” several times since then. So, impromptu date No. 1 with Promo Girl No. 2 was a success. I showed her I was different from other guys. And, unexpectedly, she showed me she was different from other girls.

It’s been four months since Promo Girl No.2 and I started dating. She knows I’ve gone out with other girls, but she doesn’t know I don’t want to.

In answering one of the “Ask the Guys” questions I had mentioned Hairdresser, a girl I dated a few months ago. We dated for about the same amount of time as Promo Girl No. 2 and I have. I had hung out with Hairdresser’s parents, I had gone over to her house and cuddled with her on the couch as we watched movies, and she would cut my hair for free. But, she was way more emotionally unavailable than me, if you can believe that. I spent three months investing in Hairdresser only to be let down by love, again.

Jake Johannsen says in his comedy show, “We’re never going to understand women because they’re mysterious, and women are never going to understand us because they can’t handle the truth. Women have a hard time accepting that we could possibly be that friggin’ simple.”

Some people think I play games, which would infer that I’m complicated. But it really is simple. If I go out with a girl that I’m physically attracted to, but have little or nothing in common with, I will most likely not date her again. Here’s where most of you will probably judge me: I will, however, most likely still try to see how far that date will go.

Some may recall my blog about Roller Derby Girl, “ There was no chance for an emotional connection, but I had some hope for a physical one.” Because here’s the thing, people don’t date if they’re not physically attracted to each other. Why not follow that attraction as far as it will take you?

But then ladies like Promo Girl No. 2 and Hairdresser come along and make things complicated for simple guys like me. I told Hairdresser how I felt and she backed away slowly. Every sign, every word and every kiss she gave me said she felt the same way, but she was obviously afraid of going out on the limb I was sitting on by myself.

And now I’m right back where I started, watching that limb sway in the wind. Do I invite Promo Girl No. 2 out on it? It’s just so much safer here.

Office of the Mayor

City of New York

Proclamation

Whereas: As the media capital of the world and home to an incredibly fashionable population, it's no wonder that New York City has embraced “The Tyra Banks Show” - or that the preeminent glamazon recently moved the program's production to our great city. Today, we are proud to celebrate The Tyra Banks Show's 500th episode!

Office of the Mayor

City of New York

Proclamation

Whereas: As the media capital of the world and home to an incredibly fashionable population, it's no wonder that New York City has embraced “The Tyra Banks Show” - or that the preeminent glamazon recently moved the program's production to our great city. Today, we are proud to celebrate The Tyra Banks Show's 500th episode!

Whereas: Like so many of our residents, Tyra is fun-filled, but also committed to giving back and building a better future. Not only does her program support our thriving film and television production industry, which supports 100,000 New York jobs and contributes $5 billion to our economy each year - it also tackles important social issues, uplifting guests and audience members alike. And considering our city's aggressive efforts to combat counterfeiting, episodes like "How to Spot a Fake" also make tremendous civic (and aesthetic) contributions.

Whereas: Part of my motivation for honoring Tyra is my hope to become America's Next Top Model (my term ends in just 618 days, and my advisors say I look surprisingly good in heels.) But that's not all. Tyra's style, generosity, and ferocity truly represent the very best our great city has to offer. On behalf of all New Yorkers, here's hoping that her "Made in New York" show will continue creating episodes "all new from the 212" (and 718, 646, 917, and 347) for many years to come.

Now therefore, I, Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of the city of New York, in recognition of her show's 500th episode, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 18th, 2008 in the city of New York as: "The Tyra Banks Show Day."

Heidi and Spencer give their side to the LC sex tape scandal. Who do you believe?

Heidi and Spencer give their side to the LC sex tape scandal. Who do you believe?

I just got back from my best friend's wedding. It was a breathtakingly beautiful day, mostly because the newlyweds were deeply, radiantly in love.

Yet it's not always easy to "give away" your best friend, even to an amazing man. My cup runneth over with happiness for her. But I wondered. Would things be different now?

Could I still call her at midnight to dissect the existential significance of my bangs? Would she still want to make a run to T-Bell in full pirate costumes just to see if people noticed? And what about our impromptu Justin Timberlake dance parties? Was I going to be dancing solo to JT from now on??

I just got back from my best friend's wedding. It was a breathtakingly beautiful day, mostly because the newlyweds were deeply, radiantly in love.

Yet it's not always easy to "give away" your best friend, even to an amazing man. My cup runneth over with happiness for her. But I wondered. Would things be different now?

Could I still call her at midnight to dissect the existential significance of my bangs? Would she still want to make a run to T-Bell in full pirate costumes just to see if people noticed? And what about our impromptu Justin Timberlake dance parties? Was I going to be dancing solo to JT from now on??

Because it was an Indian wedding, the bride's hands, wrists and ankles were decorated with elaborate henna designs. The groom's initials hid playfully amid the intricate swirls and Hindu goddesses. My own hands were painted in a complicated pattern of peacock feathers, symbolizing the ritual of courtship. (As if I need a peacock to remind me of crazy courting rituals!)

For those of us new to the henna thing, the bride offered a quote:

I loved that the delicate design on my hands represented new happiness. (It also represented an eye infection -- I rubbed my face before the henna dried and found myself on a date with an emergency eyewash.)

Just before the wedding ceremony began, all 250 guests walked outside to greet the groom. He entered on horseback to a lively drumbeat. Everyone – grandmothers, babies, a forklift operator from across the street – began dancing, encircling the groom and showering him with cheers and winks.

Then it was time for the bride's big entrance. I held my breath as she floated down the aisle in a stunning, jewel-encrusted sari trailed by a gorgeous black braid that nearly grazed the floor. At the very last moment, just before walking under the wedding canopy, she turned back and found my eyes. "Hi, Carrie," she mouthed, her lips sparkling in a smile.

During one of the most important moments of her life, in the middle of her wedding, she took the time to give me a shout out. That must be its own form of true love. And in that instant I knew – single or married – we would forever remain best friends.

Later, at the reception, traditional sitar music and Bollywood classics gave way to bhangra and hip hop. Around 1:00 a.m., the sweet falsetto of Mr. Timberlake vibrated through the dance floor. I felt a body near mine and glanced up, ready to tell some guy to keep out of my dance space.

Instead, I saw the bride. She gave me a quick nod and we rocked out to "Rock Your Body," grinding to the ground like the good old days.

Just then a hot groomsmen I'd been checking out wandered over and asked me for a slow dance. The bride and I collapsed into giggles. I think she actually shoved me into his arms. As I walked away with him, I looked back and mouthed "thank you." Then I caught a glimpse of my henna painted hands and heard her voice.

"Your spirit, your life, are on the brink of reaping new happiness."

I only hope that happiness includes a little JT with my BFF.

I thought I had a good grasp on what it was I was looking for in a relationship. In fact, I thought I had such a good grasp, that I convinced myself that 5 simple things would lead me to dating bliss. But as I started putting it all down on paper and examining them, I found that I still have some learning to do.

The first one was easy, a no brainer. You have to have your own place. However, Deal Breaker #1 has also been the easiest one for me to ignore. It really doesn’t make any sense to come up with these things if I’m not going to commit to them.

Then there was Deal Breaker #2. It was an easy concept to grasp. Let’s keep our friends when we’re dating. But no sooner had my fingers left the keyboard when I got to thinking about how much time I spend doing everything but spending time with anyone I’m dating. There’s always somewhere else to go and someone else to go with. It’s one friend after another, with no time for a relationship. These Deal Breakers were meant to help me start a relationship, not make it impossible.

I thought I had a good grasp on what it was I was looking for in a relationship. In fact, I thought I had such a good grasp, that I convinced myself that 5 simple things would lead me to dating bliss. But as I started putting it all down on paper and examining them, I found that I still have some learning to do.

The first one was easy, a no brainer. You have to have your own place. However, Deal Breaker #1 has also been the easiest one for me to ignore. It really doesn’t make any sense to come up with these things if I’m not going to commit to them.

Then there was Deal Breaker #2. It was an easy concept to grasp. Let’s keep our friends when we’re dating. But no sooner had my fingers left the keyboard when I got to thinking about how much time I spend doing everything but spending time with anyone I’m dating. There’s always somewhere else to go and someone else to go with. It’s one friend after another, with no time for a relationship. These Deal Breakers were meant to help me start a relationship, not make it impossible.

My original deal breaker #2 was employment. Yes, I want to date someone who has a job. Call me crazy. However, it seemed a little silly to say that because the first deal breaker was you have to have your own place. If you have your own place, then you must be paying for it. If you are paying for it, then you must have a job or some form of income. Irony is one thing, redundancy is another.

Number 3 took on a life of its own. Originally, I was going to talk about vices and bad habits, but the more I thought about it, the less I liked the idea of someone liking me for all the bad things I do. I screw up sometimes, but no one wants to date a guy who’s screwing up and still expects everyone to be fine with it. In the classic transference defense mechanism, I put all the responsibility on my partner. When I started to think about it, the surprise wasn’t all that great, and she probably had every right to get mad.

I thought all this would be easy. I was going to lay it all out there and be honest about what I’m looking for, but when it came right down to it, I wasn’t being honest with myself. I put up all these ludicrous expectations without even thinking about how hard they must be to achieve. I didn’t come up with these deal breakers to try to find someone. I came up with them to keep me from finding someone. The more I analyzed what I was doing, the more ridiculous it seemed. It’s easy enough to point fingers and criticize, but I haven’t really come up with any solutions to the ins and outs of dating.

So Deal Breaker #4 isn’t so much a Deal Breaker any more. It’s more of a mantra. A friend told me today that right from the beginning you should put all your cards on the table. Be as honest as you can at the start, because eventually everything comes out. If you start off a relationship with misconceptions and hidden agendas, there’s no way it will work.

And just like that, my whole perception changed. It took me two years to come up with those stupid Deal Breakers and a few fleeting moments to throw them all away.

Set your DVRs so you don't miss Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart's, bid for the Miss Universe Crown, live from Vietnam, Sunday, July 13 on NBC. For more information about the Miss Universe pageant, visit www.missuniverse.com.

Set your DVRs so you don't miss Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart's, bid for the Miss Universe Crown, live from Vietnam, Sunday, July 13 on NBC. For more information about the Miss Universe pageant, visit www.missuniverse.com.

If you can’t get enough of Heidi and Spencer, don’t miss “The Hills” on MTV every Monday night at 10 PM ET. For more information on the show, visit www.mtv.com.

If you can’t get enough of Heidi and Spencer, don’t miss “The Hills” on MTV every Monday night at 10 PM ET. For more information on the show, visit www.mtv.com.