Me and Dad in Riverside Park, 1971-ish

When there’s a blizzard, I like the idea that everyone is holing up in their homes. Read the rest of this entry »

“Escape Cubicle Nation!” “Quit your oppressive job and start doing what you love!” “Screw The Man and find your passion!” “Make a 6-figure income, in your dirty pajamas!”

If you’re in the Twitter or blogging community, you can’t miss these messages. Though you don’t have to be on Twitter or have a blog or even read blogs to be aware of the whole “work from home, not from work” movement. It’s everywhere.

Maybe a little too everywhere. Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone knows, when you’re at the airport, you’re allowed to buy any trashy book you want.

Because it’s “for the plane.” Read the rest of this entry »

I started 5th grade in 1979. That’s when designer jeans were “all the rage.”  An expression your grandmother would use, but really – they were the rage.

All the sexy girls in my class wore them.

(Yes, to ten year olds, other ten year olds are sexy.) Read the rest of this entry »

First things first: the baby above is NOT related to me. I don’t want anyone thinking it’s my new nephew, Samson, who’s way cuter.  Apologies to parents of Superbaby.

Now that that’s out of the way…

The NY Times has an article in this week’s Science section claiming that humans are born helpful.  The proof? At 18 months, babies will try to help out if they see a stranger struggling to open a door. Read the rest of this entry »

Do they still make Very Special Episodes and After School Specials?

I hope so. They were the cornerstone of my education in Things Not To Do, like drugs, drinking, drinking and driving, bingeing and puking, killing yourself, and getting molested by the nice man who owns the bicycle shop. (Poor Dudley.*)

Those TV shows served me well: I’ve never tangled with drugs, had a problem with the booze, or done any of those other things they have treatment programs for.  But I have fallen prey to several addictions that, I think you’ll agree, are almost as ruinous. Which leaves me to ask:

Where were the Very Special Episodes I really needed? Read the rest of this entry »