Martha Irvine
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/ 29 November 2005

Portable music inspires new wave of DJs

The jukebox at the bar in Chicago that Brian Toro manages isn’t gathering dust just yet — but it may only be a matter of time. The popular nightspot is among a growing number of places across the United States where people can bring their iPods and other portable music players and, for as long as the bartender allows, share their personal favourites with the crowd.

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/ 15 December 2004

Just wing it

Two friends are at a party when one sees a potential love interest. The other friend swoops into action, making an introduction and helping to keep the conversation going — all so the buddy can score a phone number. But now, those who ride shotgun for the sake of love have a name. They are dating’s "wingmen" and "wingwomen".

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/ 7 December 2004

The internet ate my homework

Even when he’s asleep, Scott Kearnan is hooked into the internet. He just turns down the volume on his computer, so he’s not awakened by the ”brrring” of a late-night instant message. ”It’s become something for me that’s almost like a telephone. I may not use it, but it could ring anytime,” says the 22-year-old, who works for a search-engine marketing company. ”If I don’t have it, I feel cut off.”

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/ 7 September 2004

Cities find ways to please street skaters

He’s turned professional and achieved rock-star status among legions of fellow skateboarders. But even Rob Dyrdek sometimes has trouble finding legal places to do what he refers to as his ”job.” ”I get paid a ridiculous amount of money to do what I do, and I still have to run from cops and jump fences,” says Dyrdek, an Ohio native who now lives in San Diego, California.