A New Year's Resolution For All Of Us

This has been a challenging year for folks, and a lot of people are facing the New Year with more trepidation than optimism. The prospect of setting goals for January might seem a bit pointless when so much of what makes them achievable is out of your control -- the economy, the job market, the political climate. But I would like to suggest a resolution that could make a major difference in your outlook over the next 12 months...

Dissecting My Favorite Christmas Specials -- Part Three: Shows To Be Avoided At All Cost!

For every good holiday special, there are at least two or three that suck beyond comprehension -- and I hate to say it, but many of the really bad ones come from my growing-up-days (I've never been so ashamed of the 80's!) As a public service, I thought that I would warn you away from the worst of the worst, to save you the agony of having to watch these shows yourself...

Dissecting My Favorite Christmas Specials -- Part Two: The Fringe

In the second installment of this little series, I'm going to focus on some of the more obscure holiday specials that have caught my heart over the years. Many of these, you may have only seen once, or you you may never have heard of. But each one is worth a watch (unlike, say, the Star Wars Holiday Special or Mr. Hanky)...

Dissecting My Favorite Christmas Specials -- Part One: The Classics

Most people in this country sit through at least one Christmas special during the holiday season -- but when was the last time you REALLY watched these classics, and tried to understand them at more than a superficial "ho-ho-ho" level? I made the mistake of doing that this year, so I thought I would share the results of my research with you...

Dear Lord, Don't Let Me Grow Old In America!

Matt and I have spent the last couple of weeks dealing with one of the most unpleasant aspects of growing older -- the day when one of your parents becomes incapacitated, can't care for himself any longer, and has to go to an assisted living facility. And even in wealthy geriatric South Florida, these care homes are depressing as hell. Every time we go to visit, I think (rather selfishly), "Please don't let this happen to us!"

Thanksgiving Traditions -- This Isn't Exactly How The Pilgrims Did It

This year, we tried to have as "traditional" a Thanksgiving as possible, even in the midst of a family crisis. We watched the Macy's day parade from my father-in-law's hospital room (what happened in the last 20 years that I'm given a performance from "Shrek The Musical" instead of an Underdog balloon floating by?) We enjoyed a lovely turkey lunch from the cafeteria (good hospital food is NOT an oxymoron!) And it really got me to thinking about Thanksgiving traditions...

Putting The "Fun" Back In "Funeral"

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about what I would like done with my mortal remains when I leave this earth (don't even ask how we got on that subject!) I personally have all kinds of crazy ideas about how I want to be treated when I'm dead, and I'm surprised at what a somber topic this is for so many people. In my way of thinking, this is your last big hurrah on this earth -- and no matter how you lived, it's important to go out with a bang!

The Credit Card Companies Are Punishing Fiscal Responsibility

Matt and I are the kind who pay our credit card bill in full each month and haven't given a bank a single interest payment in years. However, I just tripped over a news article informing me that some lenders are going to start charging an annual fee of $29-$99 to those who don't carry a balance -- to make up for the fact that they aren't earning interest and late fees on their more financially responsible customers!

Does Anyone Actually Listen To Dr. Laura? And Take Her Seriously?

I was flipping radio stations the other day while in the car with a friend, and happened upon a strident and annoying voice that I hadn't heard in years -- Dr. Laura. I had no idea that this insane woman was still on the air! I used to listen to her ages ago for no other reason than rush-hour comic relief -- her "advice" was laughable, and you just knew she had to be a joke. Surely no female in the United States could be stupid enough to actually take a thing that she says seriously??