Skip to content

A decade of neologisms

Here’s a selection of The Guardian’s favorite neologisms of the last ten years. These words and expressions were all coined in particular parts of the world in specific years: they’re principally slang and jargon, catching on but still waiting to be formalized into our dictionaries. My favorite from the list is: 1.  generica: features of…

Read More

Literary and Pregnancy Dos and Don’ts

I adore this Romance Heroine’s Don’ts List. It’s quite amusing. I thought I’d create a list as well. So inspired by the birth of my friend’s first child two days ago, here is my “Friends and Family of an Expecting Parent Don’ts List.” Please feel free to suggest additions to the list. 1. Don’t tell…

Read More

Best books of 2009

The New Yorker’s writers list some of their favorite books of 2009. Ann Kingman, Michael Kindness, and the Books on the Nightstand listeners list some of their favorites from the past year. I hoped to include a list of my favorite books of 2009, but it occurs to me that I read only a handful…

Read More

An honor or a disservice?

The NY Times ran a piece about the most commonly shoplifted books. Oddly enough, The Bible tops the list in some stores. Perhaps people feel entitled to the word of their Lord. Or maybe The Bible is overpriced. I purchased a copy a couple of years ago for a project I was working on and…

Read More

Talented teenager

My former student has been creating some stop-motion videos that are both ingenious and highly entertaining.  She was brilliant when I taught her in third grade, but she’s even more impressive seven years later.  Please take a moment and check them out.  They are sure to bring a smile to your face. I’m thinking about…

Read More

Look! A Democrat who speaks like a Republican!

I try not to be too political on this blog, but sometimes I can’t help it. I’ve also been told by those who represent me to be myself and not be afraid to share my feelings from time to time. Apparently, readers enjoy getting to know authors on a more personal level. I’m a registered…

Read More

The story of our engagement

On December 28, 2004, I asked my wife to marry me. My goal was to give her a proposal that she would never forget. Here is the story: Elysha’s favorite room in the world is Grand Central Station, so I chose that as the location for the proposal. I also wanted the proposal to be…

Read More

Rise up, my brothers and sisters!

Mark Wilson and I are simpatico when handling movie theater talkers. I agree with everything he suggests. On Wednesday, my friend and I plan on seeing Avatar at the local IMAX theater. If anyone dares to speak during the movie, I will take immediate action, employing some of Wilson’s suggestions with my own if necessary.…

Read More

Nothing good can come of it

When I am helping a friend or colleague prepare for a confrontation with  a coworker, boss, family member, or similar individual, I often ask the same question: What is your expectation for a reasonable outcome? For example, if you know that your supervisor has strong, seemingly unwavering feelings about a decision that he has made,…

Read More

I don’t care if Glenn Beck is on your Christmas list

An excellent question from Kate Ward of Shelf Life in regards to gift-giving etiquette: “Is it possible to feel good about spending $20 for a book you despise but know your loved one will devour?” For me, it depends on where the purchase profits are going. If my loved one has asked for a copy…

Read More