I'm naked in an upscale clothing store in New York City.

My wealthy friend Thomas is buying a fancy Italian shirt. He buys clothing on a whim. We're going out tonite and he wants to wear something nice.

I browse the men's clothes with him, careful not to drift over to… Read full post »

If you're anything like me, first off, good luck. It's no easy feat.

Secondly, you smiled big and hard when you read the story about Jet Blue's flight attendant Steven Slater and his dramatic dispute with a passenger. According to The New York Times:

Mr. Slater instructed the person to remain… Read full post »

 

(I wrote this for my writing class and figured I'd share it with old hats like you, who already practice much of what I preach.)

 

 

 

Okay, so my online writing hasn't made me millions. But I've received a good deal of attention, with…

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I often ponder whether I should say something. Or perhaps it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. Though it's not her fault, I continue to blame her - every day of my goddamn life.

Pam told me to buy a “better” coffeemaker. You’re not in college anymore, she said. Don… Read full post »

"I think it heals the soul," she whispers, as if a secret.

"I think it does too, Aunt." I reply.

My Aunt Mary Lou and I are on the phone. We're talking about singing instead of addressing her daughter, who is dying of cancer. My aunt needs a break.

"Do you still sing, Bethy?"

Hearing… Read full post »

 

"You know what your problem is?"

"What?"

"You're giving your pussy away on a platter."

"I'm what?"

"You're coming across as desperate."

"I am desperate!"

My soon-to-be-ex friend Clint is explaining to me in his inimitable way that giving some guy my number last week went a little too far.

"I…

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Dear Alice:

My boyfriend says he wants to start seeing other people. I think it’s the beginning of the end while he thinks this will open us up to "more of life’s possibilities." What do you think?

~ Desperate in Delaware


Dear Desperate:


Tell him you’d like to start see… Read full post »

 

“Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear and not bothering.” ~ Winnie the Pooh


I like doing nothing. Sometimes its frowned upon and I’m not sure why. Doing nothing is relaxing, fun and easy.

Doin… Read full post »

 

The first time I died in my sleep, I was a child. Someone knocked me on the head in my dream and I began rising quickly, into the air. A little voice whispered urgently, Don’t go any higher or you can’t come back! Shaken, I willed myself to… Read full post »

The scientists at Silly Lists of Nothingness have been plugging tirelessly away at yet another ridiculous list for your review. This week, Dr. Ruby Lawrence and Dr. Beth Mann spent nearly two hours in the lab, dissecting photographs of hot men in the name of science.

Now, we're not talking about… Read full post »

 

 

Over coffee this morning, I saw a few FB posts from female friends, excited about showing off some cleavage for "Boobquake" this Monday. While I wanted to be happy about some counterculture movement, this one just made me sigh.

In case you haven't heard, Boobquake was started by…

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"Words are alive. Cut them and they bleed."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson   

 

Yesterday, I had a conversation with an old boyfriend. He said I was the first to say, "I love you." I vaguely remember him initiating it. The debate bordered on an argument and I couldn't help… Read full post »

 

Mr. Shuffles is a miracle elephant.

After almost 2 years in his mother's womb, the vets could find no vital signs and he was presumed to be stillborn.

At a press conference, the staff at Taronga Zoo in Australia announced the sad news.

 I turned my back on television many years ago. Sitcoms, reality TV, annoying commercials - the sheer stupidity of it all seemed too pervasive to overlook. But in the last few years, there's a crop of programs that have me thinking twice. These shows have an almost cinematic quality - beautifull… Read full post »

 

 

I heard the calling while driving home from Philadelphia a few mornings ago. I had attended a show at Johnny Brenda’s the night before and stayed over night at a… Read full post »

I take her for a walk a few times a week. I have for years now. It's the only time she feels her "old self again" she says.

She's recovering from some injuries so she walks slowly. She's always going on about wanting to run again, like me...but I don't know if… Read full post »

“Is that the guy who likes to have sex with dead women?” my boyfriend asks.

“No, I think that’s just a myth.”

“Do you want another line?”

“When I’m done. I… Read full post »

You love it, you hate it. You love it and hate it at the same moment.


1. Arugula
2. Cough Syrup
3. Pain
4. Funions
5. The Truth
6. Public Access Television
7. Cigarettes
8. Watching Someone Slip & Fall
9. Being Tickled
10. Bill Clinton
11. Scotch
12. Lifetime Movie Events
13. Splinter Removal
14. Wasabi… Read full post »

 

Liz Falco (left) and Cathy Cushla (right)
Liz Falco, an old college friend, suddenly popped in my mind last week while shopping. She was a real inspiration to me - fiery, outspoken, kind, cute as hell, wild hair. She was the type who could speak her mind…

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(This piece was written for Red Room. Their topic of the week: "What what would Franz Kafka blog about if he were alive today?" Not sure if I captured some of the elements of his writing but I tried.)

The first time I see him, he is leaning against his… Read full post »

The Scene:

A winter Sunday at the Jersey Shore. Waves are big, messy and a little dangerous. Water temperature - 40 degrees. Air temp, about the same.

The Players:

My three surfing friends: Sunday, Pete and Clint (with ass crack showing). And me. (Photos from last summer.)

 

 

 

%I… Read full post »

 

Winter of 76...or was it '77? from Beth Mann on Vimeo.

This touching monologue is just one of Beth Mann's finer pieces. It's from a VERY indie film entitled "The Winter of 76...or was it 77?"

Note the force, the intensity behind her acting - the way she shifts from…

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I recently received a professional invitation by the staff at the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame and Open Salon's MJWycha to partake in their latest list.

We spent long and hazardous hours exposed to tunes that are considered crimes committed against rock. This includes good bands gone band and bad bands… Read full post »