Advice

It's NCAA tournament time! And that means brackets. Almost everyone fills one out, but what is the best strategy? And should you even strategize, or just pick the high seeds? Well, RedEye found four people confident in their bracket skills and picked their brains on their bracketology methodology.   Paul M. Banks, 35, Lakeview, @paulmbanks Illinois alumnus Owner of TheSportsBank.net "I've won two pools in the past five years: one had more than 900 participants.

My girlfriend and I were together a little less than a year before we decided to take the plunge and live together. We both felt that it was a good idea because we eventually saw this leading to marriage. However, it has really backfired on both of us. We argue on a weekly and sometimes daily basis. Some of them have been pretty intense, but we have always made up. Although, I believe the reason for this is only because we know that we live together. Before living together, I would say that we had a pretty healthy and active sex life.

So I met this guy about a month ago, and we dig each other. He's not looking for a relationship, and I'm not going to waste my energy trying to make him, so we're basically in the "friends with benefits" stage. The "benefits," however, only go so far. We've had several steamy makeout sessions in the car outside my house (with all the high school flashbacks included), but no sex. After one of these sessions, he told me he was having sex with someone else, and that it was a random, no-emotions arrangement.

I currently am dating a friend's brother who is a complete sweetheart. Here's the problem: I am not attracted to him. We have been together for three months and only had sex twice, and both times I have not enjoyed it. He's on the heavy side, has tattoos, both nipples pierced, etc., and I know it's all physical, but emotionally I am not into him either. He works in the freezer in a food store (he is 29, hates school, but after meeting me he wants to better himself within the store)

I like this guy and we see each other around a lot and talk sometimes but should I be all old-fashioned and wait around for him or grow some and ask him?--Waiting I learned something startling the other day, Waiting. According to the recent census , the most common job for women in 2012 was to be a secretary. This was also the most common job for women in 1950. Sixty years have passed, more women are getting their graduate degrees than men, and women are starting their own businesses in droves, but still the most common job is secretary.

I have a history of falling into long-term relationships, so I've taken a no-dating vow for the foreseeable future. This doesn't mean that I don't want to flirt or make out or have sex, but I don't know how to tactfully bring up my wish to stay single to new people without shutting off different ways of relating to each other. Any hints?--Not A Player Fear not! The government stopped issuing those pesky mandatory Commitment Tests when Motel 6 patrons complained it was "getting in the way" of their adultery.

When you break up with your longtime honey boo boyfriend, the first thing you need is your besties -- and probably vodka. Selena Gomez has at least one of those things covered, she told People mag of her buds Taylor Swift and Vanessa Hudgens. "It's helped having Taylor and Vanessa both be older than me. They've kind of experienced a little bit more, and at the same time we're experiencing the exact same things together," she said. Just what kind of advice are T-Swizzle and V-Hudge dealing out?

It's winter (almost)! (Also, gross). That means it's time for another quick 'n' dirty-style advice column. Grab some mulled wine and come sit on my knee. If you missed the fall quickies , read 'em at your leisure. It is winter, after all, what else are you doing? The girl I'm dating says she has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This sounds fake. Is it? Much like "restless leg syndrome" (people who can't stop twitching their legs), it's easy to cast off Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for what it sounds like: laziness.

From sequins to sparkles, ties to tuxedos, New Year's Eve usually unleashes the fancier and glitzier sides of personal styles. It doesn't matter if you're club-hopping until New Year's Day sunrise or laying low at a friend's house party--ringing in the new year means bringing in the big, fashionable guns. In order to establish what's in and what's out when kissing 2012 good- bye, we assembled a panel of local experts to fill you in on all things New Year's fashion. THE EXPERTS JENA GAMBACCINI fashion blogger for Chi City Fashion (chicityfashion.com)

As the NFL season hits its final quarter, there are still some super sleepers out there who can help your fantasy team. I really like a quarterback, running back and a tight end who can help you win this week. Nick Foles, Philadelphia QB The rookie will be starting the rest of the way for the Philadelphia Eagles. Foles is quickly coming of age - in his third start last week, he passed for 251 yards and a touchdown. He has a favorable matchup this week against Tampa and along with fellow rookie and running back Bryce Brown (no longer a super sleeper)