Bill Clinton Book My Life — funny, but definitely lawsuit-inducing.
Category: Current Affairs
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Through the Eyes of a Child
The New York Times recounts one of John Kerry’s recent Q & A sessions. Although the individuals asking questions weren’t necessarily a key target group for votes, as they were 5 and 6 year olds in a New Mexico elementary school, their questions were still right on point. It’s fascinating to discover the “political” concerns of kids that age — one “child asked if Mr. Kerry could ‘make sure dogs don’t get run over by cars,’ and Mr. Kerry promised to try.”
Very often when I get wrapped up in my own problems, I find that spending time with children gives me some perspective. They’re not worried about finding the right career or a solid romantic relationship. They are more interested in less complex matters, like why the sky is blue, or how come they can’t have strawberry ice cream for dinner.
Be sure to check out the rest of the article. David Halbfinger does an excellent job reporting the visit as if it were a serious press conference:
The children were quite taken with Mr. Kerry’s height. One girl, Mariana Gonzales, loudly asked if he could touch the roof; Mr. Kerry laughed off the question, but another child joined in: “But you’re tall!”
A third member of this pack of junior jackals refused to drop the subject, crying, “Oh my God! You’re tall!”
Cornered, Mr. Kerry conceded the point. “I am tall,” he said
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Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves*
And for the rest of the country, some of whom don’t know any better.
Single Women May Decide 2004 Election
*A tribute to the Eurythmics/Aretha Franklin duet.
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Riding on the Metro . . .*
Sometimes I take for granted that living in NYC gives me an “edge” on pop culture trends. Scary, but true.
For example, I got a very cute email from my mom yesterday. I’m hosting a murder mystery dinner party tonight, and one of the guests is a guy I met at my friend’s marathon party a few weeks back. I was telling her that this guy was coming over early to help me cook. She replied, “he cooks? He must be one of those new “metro” guys that they were talking about on Sex and the City last week — they have all the good qualities of gay men AND they’re great in bed!” (Yeah, I wish. If any of you readers find that guy lurking out there, send him directly to me, pronto.)
Well, I must admit she’s one up on me, because I don’t have HBO, but I took it upon myself to send her an article written by Mark Simpson, who coined the phrase “metrosexual.” In my mind, the metro trend is in the “on the way out” category, but as he points out in his “Metrosexmania Update” on 8/18, “The media gang-bang of the metrosexual continued to grow, rapidly developing into a case of full-blown global metrosexmania. Is there a single publication in the ‘developed’ world, other than Farming Monthly which hasn’t run the story?”
She replied back, sheepishly, “So I’m out of the loop. At least I’ve heard of it and I don’t live in the city. Doesn’t that earn some points?” Of course it does, Mom.
I realized that metrosexuals were part of the mainstream society when I saw an ad recently for
The Metrosexual Guide to Style: A Handbook for the Modern Man in Time Out New York — not that Time Out New York is necessarily “mainstream,” but it is a mass publication of sorts. Now, the true test of whether or not it has hit mainstream culture is to ask my Dad if he has ever heard the term. So I sent him an email to find out. “Hey, Dad,” I wrote, “I’m taking a survey. Have you ever heard of the term “metrosexual” and do you know what it means (no cheating by looking it up on the internet)?” His response? “No and no.” In conclusion, based on my scientific study — the term “metrosexual” is still not officially mainstream. And Mom gets extra credit points.(* a tribute to Berlin‘s song of the same name)
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Riding on the Metro . . .*
Sometimes I take for granted that living in NYC gives me an “edge” on pop culture trends. Scary, but true.
For example, I got a very cute email from my mom yesterday. I’m hosting a murder mystery dinner party tonight, and one of the guests is a guy I met at my friend’s marathon party a few weeks back. I was telling her that this guy was coming over early to help me cook. She replied, “he cooks? He must be one of those new “metro” guys that they were talking about on Sex and the City last week — they have all the good qualities of gay men AND they’re great in bed!” (Yeah, I wish. If any of you readers find that guy lurking out there, send him directly to me, pronto.)
Well, I must admit she’s one up on me, because I don’t have HBO, but I took it upon myself to send her an article written by Mark Simpson, who coined the phrase “metrosexual.” In my mind, the metro trend is in the “on the way out” category, but as he points out in his “Metrosexmania Update” on 8/18, “The media gang-bang of the metrosexual continued to grow, rapidly developing into a case of full-blown global metrosexmania. Is there a single publication in the ‘developed’ world, other than Farming Monthly which hasn’t run the story?”
She replied back, sheepishly, “So I’m out of the loop. At least I’ve heard of it and I don’t live in the city. Doesn’t that earn some points?” Of course it does, Mom.
I realized that metrosexuals were part of the mainstream society when I saw an ad recently for
The Metrosexual Guide to Style: A Handbook for the Modern Man in Time Out New York — not that Time Out New York is necessarily “mainstream,” but it is a mass publication of sorts. Now, the true test of whether or not it has hit mainstream culture is to ask my Dad if he has ever heard the term. So I sent him an email to find out. “Hey, Dad,” I wrote, “I’m taking a survey. Have you ever heard of the term “metrosexual” and do you know what it means (no cheating by looking it up on the internet)?” His response? “No and no.” In conclusion, based on my scientific study — the term “metrosexual” is still not officially mainstream. And Mom gets extra credit points.(* a tribute to Berlin‘s song of the same name)
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In the News
Just a few comments on some recent news items.
- First — Love, Internet Style, from this Saturday’s New York Times. This article rests on the premise that online dating is slowing down courtship in “the Age of the Hook-Up.” (Age of the Hook-Up? Why wasn’t I notified that we’re living in the Age of the Hook-Up?! Damn!) The article goes on to describe how courtship is prolonged through extended emailing, and then somewhat awkward dating. When courtship proceeds at this leisurely pace, folks are less likely to jump into bed. I agree. It seems pretty clear to me, however, that the author of this article has never tried online dating. In the beginning, I played the courtship game — the endless, witty email banter, then a phone call, and finally, a real live date. On which there were, in all likelihood, zero sparks. After a few rounds of leisurely courtship, I tried to fast-forward the process to real-life speed — meet the guy as soon as possible. You can tell pretty damn quickly if there’s going to be any sort of chemistry. If I met someone at a party, this is the way it would work. There wouldn’t be any letter-writing exchange; we’d talk and see if any sparks flew. If they did, great, we’d go out. If not, nice to meet ya. Regardless, I’m giving the online thing a break for the time being. Too many guys, not enough sparks.
- Second — the Citizens Budget Commission released a study showing that New York State taxes are the highest in the nation. As far as I’m concerned, sometimes the good stuff is worth a little extra cash.
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In the News
Just a few comments on some recent news items.
- First — Love, Internet Style, from this Saturday’s New York Times. This article rests on the premise that online dating is slowing down courtship in “the Age of the Hook-Up.” (Age of the Hook-Up? Why wasn’t I notified that we’re living in the Age of the Hook-Up?! Damn!) The article goes on to describe how courtship is prolonged through extended emailing, and then somewhat awkward dating. When courtship proceeds at this leisurely pace, folks are less likely to jump into bed. I agree. It seems pretty clear to me, however, that the author of this article has never tried online dating. In the beginning, I played the courtship game — the endless, witty email banter, then a phone call, and finally, a real live date. On which there were, in all likelihood, zero sparks. After a few rounds of leisurely courtship, I tried to fast-forward the process to real-life speed — meet the guy as soon as possible. You can tell pretty damn quickly if there’s going to be any sort of chemistry. If I met someone at a party, this is the way it would work. There wouldn’t be any letter-writing exchange; we’d talk and see if any sparks flew. If they did, great, we’d go out. If not, nice to meet ya. Regardless, I’m giving the online thing a break for the time being. Too many guys, not enough sparks.
- Second — the Citizens Budget Commission released a study showing that New York State taxes are the highest in the nation. As far as I’m concerned, sometimes the good stuff is worth a little extra cash.
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Putting that Law Degree to Good Use
I think I might have found a way to combine my love of food with the stellar legal research and writing skills I obtained in law school. The New York Times wrote an article today about “The Sushi Memo.” I had read about this memo a while back, but now that I’m exploring alternate career choices more seriously, perhaps I should give this one some further consideration.
For more fishy fun, visit SushiNYC to learn more about sushi in the city, or NYC Eats to see some gorgeous sushi pics.
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Putting that Law Degree to Good Use
I think I might have found a way to combine my love of food with the stellar legal research and writing skills I obtained in law school. The New York Times wrote an article today about “The Sushi Memo.” I had read about this memo a while back, but now that I’m exploring alternate career choices more seriously, perhaps I should give this one some further consideration.
For more fishy fun, visit SushiNYC to learn more about sushi in the city, or NYC Eats to see some gorgeous sushi pics.