Skip to content

The right way for kids to do iPad

Too much screen time is not a good thing, but if the kids are going to use the iPad, finding them squeezed onto a single chair, sharing the iPad and talking about what they are seeing and doing, ain’t a bad way to go about it.  

Read More

I was spoiled by sandwich meat.

A couple weeks ago I spent the day at a high school in Bethany, CT teaching storytelling and hosting a story slam. The woman responsible for bringing me to the school asked what kind of sandwich I would like for lunch.  I said that something with meat and cheese would be fine. At lunchtime she…

Read More

Off the blog reading: Father’s Day Crushes Mother’s Day and Re-Imagining the Author Talk in 3 Parts

Two pieces came out yesterday that you may be interested in: In my humor column in Seasons magazine, I write about how and why fathers have the upper hand when it comes to the day designed to honor them. In the Huffington Post, I describe my version of the author’s talk and why authors may want to…

Read More

Was 1991 as oddly pink and patriotic as this Sizzler video implies?

This Sizzler promotional video from 1991 shows a time in America that I don’t remember ever existing.  Granted in 1991, I was at first homeless and then living in the home of a family of Jehovah Witnesses, sharing a room with a goat, working 16 hours a day while awaiting trial for a crime I didn’t commit,…

Read More

My son is being abused by his sister and he doesn’t even know it.

Before you jump down my throat for gender stereotypes, relax. I’m kidding. It’s perfectly fine for Charlie to wear a princess dress.   As long as he knows what he is doing.  One might argue that in this case, he has yet to reach the age of consent.

Read More

Presidential Job Application Question #7 (with my answer): Tell us a joke.

Slate’s John Dickerson recently published a piece entitled: The Presidential Job Application: Seven questions we should ask anyone who wants to become President. Over the course of the next seven days, I plan on completing Dickerson’s application by answering each of the questions. I’ve always wanted to be President, so perhaps my answers will be…

Read More

Presidential Job Application Question #6 (with my answer): What historical presidential moment tells us the most about your vision of the office?

Slate’s John Dickerson recently published a piece entitled: The Presidential Job Application: Seven questions we should ask anyone who wants to become President. Over the course of the next seven days, I plan on completing Dickerson’s application by answering each of the questions. I’ve always wanted to be President, so perhaps my answers will be…

Read More

My daughter’s position on makeup makes a hell of a lot of sense

My daughter was describing her dance recital outfit to me. It sounds beautiful. Then she said, “But Daddy, the boys don’t have to wear makeup, but the girls do, and that’s silly, because we all have the same skin. I don’t want to wear makeup. I want me face to be normal. I don’t want…

Read More

Do you know how to play Sandwich Man?

A student taught me this game.  Take a pillow. Place it on the floor. Place your little brother atop the pillow. Place a second pillow atop your brother, placing your brother between the two pillows.  Jump on top of the second pillow and shout “Sandwich Man! Sandwich Man!” This is a game that I would’ve…

Read More

Presidential Job Application Question #5 (with my answer): What experience have you had that will serve you well as president?

Slate’s John Dickerson recently published a piece entitled: The Presidential Job Application: Seven questions we should ask anyone who wants to become President. Over the course of the next seven days, I plan on completing Dickerson’s application by answering each of the questions. I’ve always wanted to be President, so perhaps my answers will be…

Read More