Upside Down Cats

Here is - hopefully - the first of many installments of "Bitchin' Broads," a collection of writing about some extraordinary women I have discovered.

Occasionally I come across a quote or a snippet of information about a person, and I become intrigued. With my curiosity piqued, the quest to learn more begins...As I grow into my maturity, I seek to fill in these holes in my knowledge, hopefully creating a more well-rounded, interesting me. In the words of my first subject: "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Dorothy Parker, (attributed). So, since - according to Ms Parker - I am incurable, I shall pursue my 'disease' in search for an understanding of this most fascinating woman.

Continue reading "Bitchin' Broads - Dorothy Parker" »

"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going." - Professor Irwin Corey.

I hadn't heard Professor Irwin Corey's name in decades! This Morning I was delighted to read this quote on The Quotations Page and be transported to "back in the day..."

No one my age knows who Professor Irwin Corey is...As the much-youngest kid in my family, and a kid whose friends didn't live nearby, I watched a lot of television in the '70's. Sure, I watched cartoons, but there wasn't any children's programming at certain times of the day, so I would watch what was on, or what the older members of the household were watching. Many times it was The Merv Griffin Show, The Mike Douglas Show or various game shows. This is where I became familiar with Professor Irwin Corey. He is a comedian who pretended to be a whacky professor. If I had to describe his brand of comedy, I would say he was an intelligent clown, playing with words and concepts...Even as a kid I thought he was hilarious! Maybe that is part of the reason I appreciate cerebral humor, as opposed to slapstick. I understand he was born in 1914 - that means he's 93 - I'm so glad this comedic treasure is still in our midst!

Thanks, Professor, for the education.

Today I've been pondering an imaginary gathering of people I'd enjoy meeting and/or conversing with over dinner. I call it my Fantasy Dinner Party. Like Fantasy Sports, the participants need not live in the same time or place. I think I originally got this idea from a PBS show I watched with my older brother many moons ago called Meeting of Minds. (Go ahead...mock me for being a nerdy PBS-watching girl...!) Steve Allen hosted this round table discussion which brought historical figures together to discuss their views on a variety of topics. As a kid I was fascinated with this concept of defying the space/time continuum to bring these diverse people face to face. I admit the fascination remains, though my guest list has certainly evolved through the years. Imagine all that could be learned from hearing these eclectic people share their knowledge, experience and insight!

The criteria for getting on the list is that you need to be an interesting person or someone I admire - or both. Click read more for a list of some people who should expect an invitation.

Continue reading "Fantasy Dinner Party - Vol. 1" »

One of my clients forwards me these women vs. men emails from time to time. Click read more below to read what she sent. These are very prevalent forwards, and I even hear acquaintances throw out the occasional, “That’s a man for you!” dis. I just need a reality check…women don’t really feel that way about men, do they? Although some of them are funny in an ‘ouch’ sort of way, most are mean-spirited, hostile and demeaning toward men.

No wonder there is such a gap between the sexes! If we are relying on pat, stereotypical ‘cartoons’ on which to base our real life interactions, there is no hope of bridging the divide.

The way to fight the notion that women are oppressed or disrespected by men is not to retaliate with the same below the belt “humor” of which women have been the subject for years, e.g., blonde jokes. Come on, ladies, let’s be the bigger man and strive to uplift our relationships instead of dragging them down to that level! Your man isn’t really a doofus, is he? Then why are you treating him like you are superior and he doesn’t have any sense at all? And if he is a doofus, why are you with him? Are you looking to earn "martyr points?"

Please don’t think of me as a tight-ass who wouldn’t know a joke if she slipped on it like a banana peel. Obviously I do recognize that their humor comes from the fact that they contain a kernel or two of truth...

…I just want to know that everyone recognizes that they are jokes and not a thinly veiled passive-aggressive rant against those “pathetic men,” disguised as humor.

Continue reading "Just A Reality Check..." »