I guess musing on topics like this one is one reason my parents laughed when I got a badge in girl scouts for "A girl scout is always cheerful." Not so much.

I went for my mammogram today and made a decision while she told me to hold my breath… Read full post »

I was driving to the gym today and listening to my favorite song on the radio. The thought occurred to me that I'd like that song played at my funeral.

Huh.

Why am I thinking about songs playing at my funeral? Because my friend Linda and I seem to be experiencing… Read full post »

As if there wasn't enough reason to fire AIG because they took bailout money to the tune of 40 billion dollars from the taxpayers, they are also the first American insurance company to introduce insurance policies compliant with shari'a law. {Update 3/2/09: AIG is getting another 30 billion from the… Read full post »

What makes an American success story embrace Marxism? Why would a man to whom the free market gave him his every wish, wish oppression on his fellow man? Why would this movie star, whose children go to private schools and live in a secure and lovely mansion tell Hugo Chavez, "I'm… Read full post »

We all know the crazy aunt who wears purple all the time and kisses you on the lips when she see's you. She talks endlessly about dead friends and waxes eloquent about her 15 year cat Harold. She eats with her mouth open and her ears closed and probably hasn't… Read full post »

In the 6th grade we were picked to spend a week on Cape Cod, kind of a science week, living in dorms, measuring tide pools, collecting data. Coincidentally my best friend and I were both picked (I can still remember telling my mother when I got home, as she gardened… Read full post »

I made it through Hurricane Iniki in 1992. I survived the San Francisco earthquake in 1989. I lived through 2 tornado's that touched down in Ft. Worth. Now I'm looking down the barrel of a potential economic depression in the next year or two. I need a Plan… Read full post »

Here is why I love Ian Punnett. For those of you fellow insomniacs who listen to George Noory on Coast to Coast a.m. in the middle of the night, you'll know who I'm talking about. I love Ian Punnett because he's articulate, funny, respectful and super, super smart. Also,… Read full post »

I saw someone wearing that on a T-shirt last week and thought, "Thank God."

Che Guevara was Fidel Castro's executioner.

How did he, a monstrous mass murderer, responsible for the blood curdling murders of thousands of teenagers, women and men, become a popular cultural figure embraced by… Read full post »

So I quit my job yesterday so I could do yours. I mean, I was doing it anyway and decided, hey! Why should I do your job AND my job? Seems like a lot of work. I remember the good old days when I used to just do my job and… Read full post »

Holly Hunter gave birth to twins at the age of 48. When they are 10 she will be 58. When they are 20, she will be 68...if she lives that long. Ditto actress Geena Davis and her twin boys. There's a long list of Hollywood women who put off having children… Read full post »

Dear My/Your/Our Physician,

How are you? I hope your 401(k) hasn't take a huge hit. Mine has, but what are you going to do? I wasn't planning on retiring for another 12 years so maybe things will be looking up then. Anyhow.

I want to know exactly why you… Read full post »

I hope you know you've been royally screwed. You bought the whole package, hook, line and sinker. And thanked them for it. You've actually spent 30 years THANKING the very people who brought you: 40+ hours a week of a job, parenting your children, cleaning your house, making the meals,… Read full post »

The first clue that we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto, is that all of my co-workers are 20-somethings. I'm a baby boomer. I took this job as Assistant Manager for Starbucks when my Corporate gig got unendurable, see: [http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=74808] I took this gig because:

1. I… Read full post »

My son is 16 years old. Every time he passes a mirror, and there are many in our household, he cannot help but watch himself, watching himself. His new 5'10" body, slimmed down from growth spurts. He wild hair, allowed to grow longer for the first time in his… Read full post »

Middle age is like dying from freezing to death. You find yourself stranded in another snowbank, white everywhere and at first you're shocked, scared - how did I get here? - and you use adrenaline to help you find your way back the way you came. But it's no use. You… Read full post »

What to you do if your nemesis dies? Besides feel the appropriate grief and conflict?

I worked for D. for 5 years. For 5 years she was my supervisor. At the risk of sounding cranky and bitter, she came in with no qualifications, because it's a who-you-know Corporation. Perhaps they all… Read full post »