Here’s my wish for the New Year: Let the AAPS Rule! What are the AAPS? Average Americans Protecting Society. Here’s what WE decree in 2010 and henceforth forevermore: All companies supporting a lobbying effort in Washington have to apply the AAPS rule to their business decisions. For instance, should Merck develop a drug that may [...]
“She keeps Moet & Chandon in her pretty cabinet. ‘Let them eat cake,’ she said. Just like Marie Antoinette.” From “Killer Queen,” by Queen, 1974 (Another champagne aficionado…) As the Bubbles Pop, Part Deux. “Shay, shall we continue the Champagne schtuff?” she slurred—after one too many glasses of Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée—my domestic champagne of [...]
Have an effervescent New Year’s! Here’s how with Champagne. Part 1. I’m no wine connoisseur, no wineologist, no viticulturist, no vinophile. I’m not able to tell the difference between super-duper expensive and more affordable wines—like if I tasted a 1982 Lafite Rothschild ($3,500) and compared it to a 2006 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon [...]
One of the most captivating stories for me this year was saga of David Goldman. He’s the American father who tried for years to regain custody of his son, Sean, who had been kidnapped by Sean’s mother and brought to Brazil (her home country). The mother then promptly divorced Mr. Goldman, married a snarky Brazilian [...]
As mentioned before, Resolution #1: Quit watching American Idol. (See blog 12/14/09). Number 2 on the list: Better time management. This one has an easy solution: Increase the day to 30 hours in length. But since the probability of this happening is iffy, and the 24 hours that are available are already spoken for, good [...]
Since today is Christmas… Henry Wadsworth Longfellow says it so well: “I heard the bells, on Christmas Day, Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Since today is Christmas… And my 100th blog—to celebrate this monumental event and oh yeah, Jesus’ birthday, [...]
These dreadful forms of communication do have a bright spot: They’re good for a laugh. Unfortunately, this is NOT the writer’s intended response. But that’s what happens nonetheless. You laugh at how ridiculous they are. And then feel bad for doing so. The most consistently fake-merry Christmas letters I’ve been exposed to were ones written [...]
I participate in a Yahoo Publishing Group—mostly absorbing valuable information from industry pros; sometimes contributing my two cents worth. Recently a woman named Linda on the site saw the movie Julie and Julia which prompted her to pose this question: “Is blogging worth it? For any bloggers out there, what is your opinion? It takes [...]
Nothing sets me off into an uncheerful snit fit faster than those hideous generic form letters that nitwits think spread holiday cheer. I detest them. You’ve heard of the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” a song to help celebrate the holiday? Here are the “Twelve Ways of Christmas Letters,” which DON’T celebrate the holiday. 1. They’re [...]
This story actually has nothing to do with Christmas, but I heard it today (near Christmas) so now it’s a Christmas Story to me. Title: My Dad’s Version of the Demise of His Marriage to My Mom. Today is Sunday. I called my Dad for our weekly one-hour shout-versation. We always start off bashing Obama. [...]
