Entertainment
My #1 Dating Rule
Ever since I started dating after my divorce, friends and readers have asked a bunch of fun questions. Like, what do you wear on first dates?” (This shirt, almost always.) Or, how long do you wait to sleep with people? (A while.) And a reader named Malena recently asked: “Do you have an intention for dating? Is it ‘Let’s see what’s out there’ or ‘I’m looking for my next husband’?”
Such a good question! And I have an answer! (I’m also curious, if you’re single, to hear yours.)
When I first began dating this past spring, my friend Andy encouraged me, “Go date different guys and have fun!” I quickly found, however, that while dating multiple people can be exciting, it may be more of a “good for her, not for me” situation. What I’m looking for, I realized, is a long-term partner. I’ve dated four guys since February, each lovely in their own way, and I love that feeling of getting to know someone and their breakfast habits and kissing style and funny quirks, and developing inside jokes and a shared language, for however long it lasts.
In the past, I’ve loved being in relationships, and for a long time, I loved being married. Remember this reader comment? “My husband and I lay in bed a couple nights ago and laughed and laughed and laughed and I couldn’t even tell you what about,” wrote Lauren. “We looked absurd in our matching mouth guards and disgustingly old pajamas, and the next day he texted me, ‘I keep thinking about laughing with you last night.’” Gahhh! The sweetest. And this romantic poem makes my heart swell.
These days, when seeing someone, I try to keep my mom’s long-time advice in mind: in any conversation, try your best to say what you really mean, even if it’s embarrassing or scary or vulnerable. The surprising thing is that, no matter what you say, you will then come across as brave and relatable. There’s something inherently lovable and worthy of respect when someone expresses how they truly feel, don’t you think?
So, with any guy I’m dating, if we’re having a more serious talk, I’ll push myself to say what I really want, feel, worry about, etc. Because, after all, why even have a conversation if you don’t? Otherwise, you’re both just saying random things.
For example, one man I dated was pretty newly divorced. In our early texts, before going on our first date, here’s how we discussed it:
Me: Can I ask you a q?
Him: Absolutely.
Me: I know you are so early on in your split
Those early days are so intense
Just curious what your headspace is these days
Like, do you feel up for dating?
I would imagine you might be in the drinks-and-sex part of your journey
Which is fun and great and head-clearing, but I’m not really looking for just that
Him: That is a great and valid question.
We ended up seeing each other for a couple months, and it was really nice, and I was glad I was straightforward about my feelings. It’s not easy, but it feels worth it?
So! I’m curious: What are you looking for, if you’re single? What are you looking for, if you’re partnered? Do these things shift for you? I’d love to hear…
P.S. Five things that surprised me about my divorce, what it felt like to have sex for the first time after divorce, and my sister’s brilliant dating tip.
(Photos by Christine Han.)
Entertainment
Cordless power tool deals are already live at Amazon before Prime Day starts
Best early Prime Day deals on cordless power tools:
Summer is the ideal time to tackle home DIY projects. The paint will dry quicker, there’s more hours of daylight, and maybe some friends around to help out. If you have a list of home and yard projects to take care of this summer, make sure you have the necessary tools. Nothing sidelines a weekend project quite like realizing you need to run to the hardware store.
Lucky for us, early Amazon Prime Day deals already have great discounts on cordless power tools. Of course, we expect to see more as we get closer to the June 23 official start of the sale. But for now, here are the top deals worth shopping.
Best DeWalt deal
$169
at Amazon
$249
Save $80
Why we like it
Perfect for anyone building a new tool collection, the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit is on sale for $80 off before Prime Day. The kit comes with the 20V compact drill/driver, 20V impact driver, two 20V batteries, a battery charger, and a durable carrying case. Both tools have a built-in LED light so you’ll get a better view for optimal accuracy. The comfort grip with ergonomic design is also a major plus.
Best Craftsman deal
$299
at Amazon
$369
Save $70
Why we like it
Packing in seven tools, the Craftsman V20 Power Tool Combo Kit is an upgraded starter pack. It comes with a drill/driver, oscillating tool, impact driver, grinder, reciprocating saw, circular saw, and even more. You also get two 20V batteries and a battery charger.
Before Prime Day kicks off, the Craftsman Power Tool Combo Kit is on sale for $229, down from the normal price of $369.
Mashable Deals
Best Hoto deal
$79.99
at Amazon
$99.99
Save $20
Why we like it
Hoto makes some excellent cordless tools that are useful to have around any home, even if you’re not taking on DIY projects soon. The Hoto SNAPBLOQ S-A01 3.7V Electric Screwdriver is the perfect example given that it comes with 56 bits to cover every possible scenario. It also has three torque settings and an LED light. Use it to repair your glasses or sunglasses, get access to tiny screws in a watch or your laptop, while still having access to more standard bits.
Hoto says you’ll get about 60 minutes of runtime before the cordless electric screwdriver needs to recharge its 800 mAh battery.
More cordless tool deals to shop before Prime Day
Entertainment
The Decade's Funniest Sci-Fi Series Is Finally Complete On Netflix
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
Comedy is hard to do right. Science fiction is hard to do right. A sci-fi comedy is nearly impossible. That’s what makes Resident Alien one of the best series of the decade. It’s a funny, well-written sci-fi comedy allowed to tell a complete story from beginning to end. After originally airing on SyFy, the series went to Netflix, and now, the final season has arrived for you to easily binge Alan Tudyk’s greatest performance.
The Perfect Role For Alan Tudyk
Tuidyk plays “Harry Vanderspeigle,” or rather, the alien with a name humans can’t pronounce, impersonating the town doctor (also played by Alan Tudyk in flashbacks), whom he accidentally killed when landing in Patience, Colorado. Harry learns medicine by watching Law & Order, and slowly picks up on human emotions, customs, and social cues as the series goes on, all to further his mission to exterminate the human race. Early on, he realizes that a young boy, Judah, can see his true alien form. He tries to exterminate the witness, but fails, and ends up befriending him instead. Be a different series if the bone saw had worked.
The first few episodes have the other residents of Patience playing the straight man to Harry’s quasi-murderous antics, before Resident Alien finds its groove and settles in. As the seasons go on, Harry finds an ally in Judah’s mom, Asta (Sara Tomko), and a new enemy when the government moves into Patience, which, as with Stranger Things, is represented by Linda Hamilton as a no-nonsense extraterrestrial hunting General. Hamilton isn’t the only sci-fi cameo. Resident Alien is filled with familiar names and faces having the time of their life on the show.
Alan Tudyk’s Firefly co-stars, Nathan Fillion and Jewel Staite, turn up as a telepathic octopus and an FBI Agent respectively. Clancy Brown, Terry O’Quinn, George Takei, and Stephen Root all drop by while behind the camera, Star Trek Voyager’s Robert Duncan McNeill is often directing the big episode of the season. When the star of the show is one of the most beloved performers in Hollywood, it’s easy to get everyone to show up.
Resident Alien Is The Decade’s Best Sci-Fi Series
Resident Alien is an absolute blast of a series. It’s a throwback to the old SyFy slate of Eureka and Warehouse 13, and the only show this decade to nail that vibe. It took a while to catch on. Season 1 flew under the radar with barely a million viewers for each episode. Once it was available on streaming, it became a social media hit, and viewership boomed. Now that it’s complete on Netflix, expect it to again experience a new surge in popularity.
There’s a lesson to be learned here by studios about producing original sci-fi, or well, almost original, since it does adapt the comic book series by Peter Hogan and Steven Parkhouse, and then giving them room to grow, develop, and find their audience. Too often, sci-fi shows are canceled after one season before anyone even knows how great it is. Resident Alien did everything right, barely survived for four seasons, and is now going to be your new favorite series
Entertainment
The best early Prime Day air fryer deals you can shop right now
Best early Prime Day air fryer deals at a glance:
Prime Day is almost here — and Amazon isn’t waiting for the official start to roll out discounts. This year’s sale kicks off on June 23, but early deals on small kitchen appliances are already live, and air fryers are among the standouts.
Whether you’re after a compact basket-style fryer for weeknight meals or a larger oven model that can roast a whole chicken, brands like Ninja, Instant Pot, and Chefman are already seeing price cuts. Here are the best early Prime Day air fryer deals worth grabbing now.
Mashable Trend Report
Best mini air fryer deal
$64.99
at Amazon
$129.99
Save $65.00
Why we like it
If you live alone, like making apps or quick side dishes, or just want an air fryer that won’t take up your entire counter, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Mini Air Fryer (4QT) is on sale for $64.99 at Amazon, down from $129.99. This little air fryer can bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, reheat, and air fry small meals in minutes. Just press the preset button, and it does the rest.
Best large air fryer deal
$89.99
at Amazon
$149.99
Save $60.00
Why we like it
For households with more mouths to feed, the Chefman XL 6-in-1 Air Fryer (14QT) can make family-sized meals in no time. (There’s also a Hi-Fry button for those who prefer an extra crispy finish.) It comes with three removable wire racks, a rotisserie spit, a fetch tool to remove the rotisserie, and a dip tray/baking pan. And right now, you can get it for $89.99 — the lowest price we’ve tracked on this model to date!
More air fryer deals
Topics
Kitchen
Air Fryers
Cordless power tool deals are already live at Amazon before Prime Day starts
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