(Left to right) Neil Bollington, 42, from Springfield, Va.; Roger Fox, 26, from Rockville; Mark Smith, 21, in South Korea (via skype on laptop); and group organizer, Jessica Sawicki, 27, of Germantown meet at a Rockville restaurant for an Asexuals of the Mid-Atlantic meetup. {DAVID STUCK, SPECIAL TO B}

They said she was just a waste of life.

All because Lauren Pierce wasn’t showing interest in dating, in relationships, in kissing.

She heard this from classmates in middle school and high school. In eighth grade, it seemed everyone was dating. Pierce wasn’t, and that was strange and inexcusable. Such a waste.

“It really became a problem because people started making it a problem,” said Pierce, a 21-year-old junior at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Pierce just knew that she had no interest in dating or sex. She called herself “anti-sexual” until the 10th grade, when she first heard the word “asexual.”

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You could soon have more time to drink at clubs and bars in Baltimore {Thanks, AP}

Marques Houston sang and Joe Budden rapped about what it was like to be “up in da club.” For young Baltimoreans looking to enjoy themselves on the weekends in clubs, bars, lounges and other establishments downtown, there has been one resounding complaint — there’s never enough time to enjoy themselves. Now new legislation being considered in Annapolis may change all that.

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New credit card rules mean changes for consumers {Thanks, AP}

If you’re a credit card user, it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to credit card statements. Beginning today, new credit card rules go into effect. Users shouldn’t expect things to stay the same, but the changes could be good news for many consumers.

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The “Jersey Shore” gang plays nice with Rachael Ray {thanks, AP}

Still hungering for everything “Jersey Shore”-related after last Thursday’s bittersweet (Ronnie and Sammy, no!) reunion show?

Hold onto your ham and hair gel.

AP reports that guido/ette fans deluged a New Jersey nightclub, forcing the closure of a thoroughfare and leading to the arrests of four people. Property owner Dick Grabowsky told the Newark Star-Ledger that about 2,000 people showed up at the 501 Lounge in Montclair on Friday night. The club has a capacity of 800.

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Relief workers

As the world continues to watch the rescue and recovery efforts in Haiti, there are glimmers of hope that some victims will be found alive. On Sunday, 60 people were freed from rubble and debris. Meanwhile, many Americans are watching the tragedy unfold and wondering what they can do to help.

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Amidst staggering unemployment, researchers take the pulse of the employed {Thanks, AP}

On Friday, the latest unemployment numbers are expected to be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The statistics will tell us how many jobs were gained and loss in December. Even before the numbers are made public, a survey may show us how the gainfully employed feel about their jobs.

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On Sept. 11, 2001, a jet airliner nears one of the World Trade Center towers in New York {thanks, AP}

NEWS STORIES:
1. Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks/ war on terror
The moment that changed the world. And every American. A quick attack to Afghanistan and, two years later, an invasion of Iraq that divided a nation united after 9/11.

2. Hurricane Katrina
A devastation matched only by the devastating images of the dead and homes lost — and the devastating government response.

3. Global recession
Greed and bailouts became the buzzwords of the decade. Apparently, we hadn’t quite had enough nostalgia for the 1980s.

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You remember this guy from the 2000s, right?

The 2000s were a lot of things. Why not make up your own decade-lib journey? Have fun! Contest instructions at the bottom

So, the (your own nickname for the decade) are coming to an end. Wow, what a (adjective)decade it was!

Total ups and downs like crazy!! After the Sept. 11 attacks, I helped heal the pain by producing some of my awesome DIY-(common product). I needed the extra money, because of gas prices and the global recession.

Thankfully, I hear that next decade (a small country), will bail out the United States big time.

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Any guys out there not obsessed with Jenna Jameson? {thanks, AP}

What’s this? A sex column that doesn’t dissect the Tiger Woods drama (or call it breaking news as does CNN, which has interrupted its reporting on Afghanistan for Woodsian intrigue)?

Or utilizes puns using golfing terms or Tiger’s last name? Yup, not here. Consider it my early Chrismukkah-Kwanza present.

Instead, I want to start things off with porn, specifically the search for men who don’t watch porn. Gawker.com reports that a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Family Violence and Violence Against Women in Montreal (must be a wide business card) was attempting to study “the impact of pornography on the sexuality of men, and how it shapes their perception of men and women.”

The problem? The researcher said in a press release that he couldn’t find any non-porn obsessed guys to use as a control group. Yes, none.

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Hello all. I’ve been away for a while but I make my return just in time for “Follow Friday.”

For the unfamiliar, “Follow Friday” is when I tell you about a blogger or Twitter user you should follow. This week, it’s Natalie McNeal who is both a blogger and on Twitter. Her site, “The Frugalista Files,” offers important information about getting the most bang for your buck. Natalie often shows that stretching dollars isn’t about being cheap,but rather about being responsible and fiscally frugal. Also be sure to take advantage of her money mind by following her on Twitter (@frugalista).

Natalie’s most recent post centers on how to make a year-end review of your finances. So head on over to “The Frugalista Files” and make sure your financial house is in order.

Happy Friday, and happy Internet searching.