First Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, and then Michael Jackson. Each celebrity death, eclipsing the next, with the media storm over Jackson taking on a life of its own. As we knew it would. Yes, each of these three celebrities contributed to their industries in significant ways, impacted lives and memories of different generations, and […]
Nek Chand’s Mosaic People, Meg Ryan’s Hair
I am wandering a darkened hallway. Somewhere, the sun is rising. I know it is morning, but the arches and carved stone go on and on like this interminable day of subways and airport shuttles, staring at tracks and walls that begin to tighten around me, more suffocating with each passing minute, the train, now, […]
Pop culture loses icons, but what are we really grieving?
What is it that touches us so deeply when we lose our pop culture icons? Losing celebrities Certainly, when celebrities pass away, we grieve the loss of talent. And we grieve for people we grew up wanting to emulate – watching, hearing, and admiring during impressionable years. We are also fascinated by celebrity, with those […]
Unforeseen Conditions, Wimbledon Wardrobes, & Interview Mishaps
I had finally nailed a job interview – to test my writing and editing skills, my sense of effective visual design for commercial web sites, and presentation composure in the face of unforeseen conditions. It was the dream job – or was it the dream interview? Or just a dream? Did I say “dream?” Nightmare […]
The Metamorphosis: Mrs. Kafka and the Storage Closet
Awake at 4:30. Something is awry. Sleep again. Restless. Waking, as I try to roll over. Armor back. Trying to sit up. Burning thighs. Bristling, twitching legs. So many of them. What’s happening? Lifting my head to see. Throwing the covers off. My body appears in brown sections – my abdomen, divided and ridged. My […]
French dog high on dope, recovering nicely after rampant case of munchies
“Chien plane complètement… les yeux vitreux… après avoir dévoré du cannabis,” selon son propriétaire. “Dog completely stoned… eyes glazed over… after devouring cannabis,” according to his owner. These were the headlines that greeted me when I opened my home page this morning. Yes, a French home page. And why not? If I can’t have a […]
Customer Service: complimentary chocolate, free flowers & a smile
Does customer service still matter in a down economy? You bet it does. I may love to wander the aisles of Whole Foods – gaze at the gorgeous flowers, the succulent fruits, the arrays of fresh vegetables in vibrant colors. But regular fare is a matter of Safeway, Kroger, or Publix – shopping according to […]
Not quite an empty nest
It’s Sunday morning. Early. I can hear everything in this quiet. My fingers tapping on the keyboard. Squirrels scampering across the roof. My own thoughts, uninterrupted, except by the usual conflicting voices – the one that is telling me to breathe deeply and enjoy these moments. The others – nagging me to get to the […]
Thinning Hair? Cure Baldness Now!
Worried about hair loss? Are you losing your hair? Would you like a woman’s perspective? First, I’d like to address myself to all you men out there with thinning hair, or clearly visible bald spots. Are you losing your war with comb-over? Are you contemplating drastic measures like hair replacement? The proverbial ill-fitting rug? Krylon […]
Stilettos in Anchorage. Tequila in Center City. Diets, anywhere.
Stilettos. Tequila. Diets – even the crazy kind. Recession-proof ideas, he said. My friend who has a friend who has a friend, the venture capitalist. “Give me a great recession-proof idea, and I’ll get you the funding.” Was it legit, or was it really just a line about my bottom line? I was to gather […]