Happy Birthday to Me
Dear That’s Life, I have been convinced for years that my birthday brought with it very bad karma. If something bad didn’t occur on the actual date, it happened near or around it. This kept up for a while and culminated with the tragic events of 9/11. Although I knew none of this was actually [...]
Being Bold
Dear That’s Life, With Rosh Hashannah approaching, the time for self introspection and review of the year past is very much upon us. And as I consider the last twelve months, I lose count of the blessings and opportunities I have been given because there are many. Someone recently told me that G-d must really [...]
Animal People
Dear That’s Life, As a child, I had always wanted a pet. Not looking for a fish or anything else I could not take for a walk, I asked my parents for a dog. “When you move out,” they said, insinuating that as long as I was living under their roof, it would not happen. [...]
I Should Stick My Finger Where???
Dear That’s Life, While this might be strange, I took several pictures of my cup of iced coffee last week and sent it to friends. It was not a particularly exciting cup nor was it supersized or keg like. It was just a cup of iced coffee like many I have had before, but this [...]
Private Pratices
Dear That’s Life, I am one of those who spreads her stuff across multiple tables in local coffee shops, treating someone else’s place of business like my own personal office. Currently occupying a number of chairs with my bags and coat, it might look to a normal passerby as if I am here for the [...]
Cuz Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Dear That’s Life, Last Sunday, the New York Times Styles section had a front page article which captured the interest of many. “It’s Not Me, It’s You” by Alex Williams detailed the various approaches taken by some in their effort to lose friends with whom they no longer wish to be connected. Even one person [...]
I Asked Asa
Dear That’s Life, During a series of texts back and forth with my husband last Friday, I asked him to display our American flag in front of our home. Usually reserved for July 4th or Memorial Day, we also put it out after Bin Laden was killed. I decided I wanted it out for the [...]
Tempted to Leave This Blank
Dear That’s Life, For the week surrounding my birthday, I am usually in full celebration mode. Birthday wishes are accepted for many days before and after the actual date, and while alternate side is not suspended, I do think it could be. As can be imagined, I have no shame about using my special day [...]
Don’t Worry – I’m Prepared
Dear That’s Life, How many times does one need to hear the same thing over and over again before believing it? Such is what I internalized when faced with yet another advertisement for the American Red Cross’s Readiness Preparedness campaign. Print ads, billboards and posters all seem to be strategically placed, sending me a message [...]
Too Much Time on My Hands? Not Exactly.
Dear That’s Life, I am usually good at providing a distraction for others in need. Whether at work or in the middle of some major deadline, I am the right person to call when you need a break. It is therefore unusual for me to need someone else to distract me, rather than being able [...]
Sunny-side up or Scrambled – I’m Taking Orders
Dear That’s Life, Although it is probably not good for business, I have often said I am my own best audience. Some may think my giggling on the air is nervous laughter, but it’s not. Pathetic as it may be, I crack myself up. I do certain things to amuse myself, knowing that even if [...]
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
Dear That’s Life, Has anyone else been praying for snow? I am not one of those people who complains when a foot of white, powdery goodness falls from the sky and is dumped on my front lawn. Trying to determine why people love summer is therefore a mystery. I can’t take off my skin in [...]
Not The Craziest Person on the Subway
Dear That’s Life, New Yorkers are used to the strange and unusual. Whether on the subway or on the street, there is something always going on, all of which infrequently registers with onlookers as out of the ordinary. That is part of what we’re is all about. Having recently completed a 5 mile charity run [...]
When There Are No Words
Dear That’s Life, I am not in the habit of checking Facebook before I brush my teeth, but something made me do it this morning. Within moments, I was alerted to the horrific news from Brooklyn, the realization of any parent’s worst nightmare. I would like to think that this tragedy, this unspeakable crime, is [...]
Um, That’s My Bag
Dear That’s Life For normal people, the excitement of a vacation begins when they arrive at their destination. I said ‘Normal people’. For me, I don’t even have to leave the airport let alone make it to the hotel before having something to write. There’s a great moment in “Ocean’s Eleven” right before Matt Damon [...]
Ground Zero
Dear That’s Life, To be honest, I was not sure what made me go. Something spoke to me today as the world awoke to hear the news that Osama bin Laden was dead and I felt oddly drawn to visit Ground Zero. Remembering the morning of September 11th, how my husband and I listened to [...]
5/1/11
Dear That’s Life, It was one of those moments that you will always remember where you were when you heard the news. The death of Osama bin Laden is a triumph of good over evil, a victory for the United States and those who fight with us, and a moment of comfort for all those [...]
I Could’ve Skipped the Hail
Dear That’s Life, Well, I’ll be the first to admit when I am wrong. When I said last week, ‘What’s next, locusts?’ in regard to a bunch of things that had gone awry all at once, I had picked the wrong plague. It was not locusts that would fall from the sky – it was hail. [...]
For the Times, They are a’ Changin’
Dear That’s Life, It is the end of two eras. Randy Cohen’s column entitled ‘The Ethicist’ which has been a staple in The New York Times Magazine for over a decade has come to a close. Even more interesting or upsetting is that the ‘On Language’ column where William Safire found his home for years [...]
I’m Wanted: Dead or Alive
Dear That’s Life, I do not have a creative, interesting or witty way to introduce this post. Frankly, I am a little speechless. A night with Bon Jovi can do that to you. No, I was not alone with the entire band. It was not an intimate evening with Bon Jovi, unless you consider spending [...]
