When I was in junior high school, I had an art teacher named Mr. Loften. I was thinking about him yesterday and marveling at just how cool this guy was.

What got me reminiscing was a writing exercise. I'm taking a class at Gotham Writer's Workshop, and yesterday our… Read full post »

I received the most ignorant e-mail today from an unenlightened buffoon of a high school physical education teacher in Overland Park, Kansas. She made the decision to call widespread negative attention to one particular slice of her school's student population: the fat kids.

Nancy Hopkins… Read full post »

Last night I dropped in on the annual Garden Party for New York's LGBT community center, where restaurants and food manufacturers were giving away samples of their edibles.  Pop Chips was among them.

In case you haven't tried them yet, Pop Chips are airy, puffed potato disks du… Read full post »

I wonder what ever happened to Kate Gaws. 

Twenty-odd years ago when Kate’s path crossed mine, I was too immature to truly appreciate what she did for me.  Compassion was still a vague concept I had yet to whole-heartedly embrace and put into regular practice.  I was self-absorbe… Read full post »

by Kim Brittingham

We're crowded into a booth at the IHOP.  It is Mother's Day.

My partner Lori works to maintain a friendly tone as she probes her father.  She is tracing a backwards road, trying fruitlessly to understand, "now, what exactly do you think Sadam Hussein had to… Read full post »

If you're an author -- whether you sold your book to a publisher or self-published it -- you'd probably jump at the chance to talk about your book on national television.  Who wouldn't?

But beware of predatory producers of "branded entertainment" TV talk shows that are little m… Read full post »

If you're an author -- whether you sold your book to a publisher or self-published it -- you'd probably jump at the chance to talk about your book on national television.  Who wouldn't?

But beware of predatory producers of "branded entertainment" TV talk shows that are little m… Read full post »

Our gentleman tour guide balanced himself expertly in the center aisle of the mini-van as the driver wove expertly through downtown Las Vegas traffic. “Up ahead on your right, ladies and gentlemen, you’ll see the Stratosphere – that tall, futuristic building… Read full post »

If you've been following my home blog for a while, you might remember a while back when NBC Universal offered me my own video series.  They called it "Big Life" but we never shot any episodes beyond the pilot. 

I'll never really know why NBC Universal decided not the move forward… Read full post »

“Most of them are homely looking, and usually overweight,” my mother explained.  “That's because when men don't find a woman attractive, she'll sometimes pair up with another woman instead.  One ugly woman will easily accept another ugly woman.  I guess… Read full post »

Dear Mrs. Obama,

In response to your e-mail of today, July 18, 2010, from which I quote:

"...help us tackle an issue that is dear to my heart — childhood obesity. As some of you know one of my top priorities as First Lady is the Let’s Move! campaign, where… Read full post »

I recently sat in the audience for a taping of ABC's Nightline at Cooper Union in New York City.  Juju Chang moderated a debate titled, “Is it OK to Be Fat?”

Arguing on the side of fat indeed being “OK” were plus size model Crystal Renn and Marianne Kirby, co-author… Read full post »