December 25, 2008:
working on christmas eve..now that sucks. But glad 2B home with the family - then off to toronto for 3 days of R&R on an expired passport
December 17, 2008:
Maybe my comic standards are low, but I LOL : http://tinyurl.com/6p434d
December 15, 2008:
Great article on web 2.0 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122884677205091919.html
December 15, 2008:
If the shoe fits Bush! http://tinyurl.com/5nsf62
December 12, 2008:
To Doug: I whole heartedly encourage your plan - sell everything and take to the seas; that is THE life!
December 12, 2008:
The top jobs of 09: http://tinyurl.com/59wjfv
December 11, 2008: How to Spot a Cheat-ah
No, I’m not referring to the spotted feline that leaves a dust storm in its wake while zipping across sub-Saharan Africa in the unmerciful pursuit of dinner. Nor am I alluding to the Disney-produced, prepubescent, girly quartet that croons formulaic melodies to an indiscriminate tween audience. Rather, the cheat-ah I speak of is slightly more elusive, exhibits a ruthlessness proportional to its four-legged namesake and is no less void of substance than the girl band of the same name.
They say love is blind, but betrayal can be blinding: we grit our teeth and gripe over an ex-flame’s seed-sowing activities, hoping to drown our anger with the help of successive olive-choked martinis, between which a few colorful expletives are hurled into the ears of a sympathetic friend. How to avoid this pit of fury and spy a relationship stray in the first place?
To Google I went in search of answers, rage spilling forth in rapid keystrokes to generate the explanations I craved: Why the last minute excuses? The “I’ll come over to your place this time babe, mine’s not so great anymore,” though he lives in a swanky pad? The cancelled dinner plans? The sporadic calls peppered with apologies in place of once frequent, tender ones? Mystery has been swapped with clarity, trust with suspicion. Those of us with a modicum of self-worth would detect such a cunning breed even before the relationship began. For the rest of us, there’s Cosmopolitan to name the signs we cannot read ourselves. Read on to avoid the charms of a cheater.
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/print-this/sex-love/dating/cheat-on-you
December 8, 2008:
spreading some holiday cheer - http://tinyurl.com/5gxdsp
December 3, 2008:
9 year old pens book - the icky world of dating http://tinyurl.com/578kcj
December 3, 2008:
have you stumbled upon anything good lately? http://www.stumbleupon.com/
December 3, 2008:
Even WSJ is twittering about twitter http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122826572677574415.html
December 2, 2008: How to find a Suitable Mate
Selecting a mate is a lot like looking for the perfect pair of shoes: the process requires much patience, perseverance and tolerance of trial and error. Adding to the complexity is our propensity for change, more specifically, a maturation of tastes with age, such that what was once attractive to you, or “in style,” is no longer the case, leaving you sans shoes (or mate) and out hunting again. Lest we forget the challenges afflicting the finicky ‘shopper:’ the more demanding you are, the longer it can take to find what you’re searching for.
With that said, it should be no surprise that I have a very small collection of shoes and an odd assortment of ex’s that is smaller still, due in large part to, as my mother puts it, an ardent search for perfection and an unwillingness to compromise. So then, how do you find a suitable mate?
My parents had their own idea that was gleefully communicated to me shortly after I graduated from college and briefly moved home, a time that I ever so fondly refer to as my “Summer of Innocence Lost.” A stack of manila folders containing pre-selected suitors, along with a marital timeline of 6-12 months, were unceremoniously presented to the naïve singleton that I was. Flabbergasted, I picked through the pile of photos and biographies of said suitors with all the enthusiasm and passion of one that is scheduled for an emergency root canal. After several months of sullenly agreeing to dates with men of all sizes, shapes and age ranges, I finally put my foot down (one befitted in a stiletto boot, of course) and refused to endure any more match-making shenanigans my parents were mercilessly plotting. Instead, I relocated to D.C. and embraced independence mightily, whole-heartedly, cooking up my own ways of finding “the one,” frequenting night clubs and soirees and outings for singles and picnics with friends of friends and office functions and happy hours, all with a little gumption for good measure.
Five years later, I’m still single and my parents are relishing in the satisfaction that only an emphatic “I told you so!” can offer. My search has led me to the few friends that have found true love in the time that I spent fumbling through disastrous relationships. How is it that they have fared better than I? What did they do differently? Here are a few ideas that I’ve gleaned from their experience:
1) My best friend Christine met her mate in college, as have many others, according to colleagues and family who’ve shared their tales of courtship. It would appear the world of academia is a breeding ground for love of all kinds, including the type that lasts. Who says a late night study date can’t blossom into a full bloom romance?
2) Nimi, another close confidante of mine, found her better half on a different kind of playing field, one that required a little more athleticism than most. Joining a sports team, if you are so inclined, can lead to more than just good sportsmanship.
3) My own search has taken me online, navigating the perils of cyber-dating at the urging of yet another friend, who insists surfing for your match is kosher in this internet age. But I’ve found it works best for those who can clearly articulate what it is they want, as many of these sites require questionnaire after questionnaire to be completed until even Freud is shamed by the level of introspection you’ve achieved.
4) Ahhh weddings. This is an ole’ faithful, a reliable stand-by for anyone with friends who are soon to-be wed. Just don’t end up like Kathrine Heigel’s character from the flick 27 Dresses.
5) If you are religiously inclined, the local church or temple to which you belong may offer opportunities you’ve never considered, especially if it hosts social events for singles.
6) Though office romances are fraught with danger, it can be a natural breeding ground for soul-mate searching and if certain precautions are taken (like dating across departments and avoiding any flings with superiors), success is within your reach.
7) Volunteer organizations not only offer the opportunity to help others, they are also a great way to meet new people – or just the one special person.
8) Trade or industry associations act as both networking forums and social opportunities – the token happy hour here can lead to new prospects beyond the realm of career.
In short, the love of your life could be anywhere; the trick is to get out there and look around without really searching. After all, as the old saying goes, love strikes when you least expect it, when you aren’t feverishly chasing after the perfect mate, or pair of shoes for that matter.
