Great Tutorial for Learning Software

I just discovered a great website for learning software programs -- lynda.com. It has easy-to-watch videos that are about 5 minutes each and the teacher uses very conversational language.

The site is a mix of both free and paid content, with the free content being used to entice people to sign up. Monthly subscriptions are very affordable -- just $25.00 or $250.00 for the year.

You can learn everything from HTML to InDesign to AutoCad and Android. This is a great resource!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Backstory on the Word "Backstory"

When an actor becomes famous, or A list, where they came from and what kind of upbringing they had becomes intriguing and interesting and the audience enjoys knowing this information. The media calls this their "backstory," or the story before the story.

These are becoming extremly popular of late, and the word backstory is being bantied around like a new Baskin Robbins ice cream flavor that everyone just discovered. The word backstory has even spread beyond humans to cover inanimate objects or events, such as "The backstory on Valentine's Day" or "the backstory behind the invention of the cell phone."

Assuming this word only came into being a few short years ago, I looked it up in Merriam-Webster. It turns out, according to MB, that the first known use of the term goes all the way back to 1984. The AP Stylebook, which most writers access today as a guideline for ensuring they are using the correct spelling and grammar, had no record of the word backstory.

Wikipedia, on the other hand, provided a more detailed but similar definition to MB, and while no one seems to be able to say who first said the word, Wikipedia notes that use of a backstory as a storytelling technique goes all the way back to the days of Aristotle.

Well there you have it. The backstory on backstory.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Peanut Oil? Really?

Had a great talk with a pharmacist recently who told me that Dunkin Donuts is frying their donuts in peanut oil and not telling anyone. My local storefront does have a sign posted that says "may contain nuts," but that's not the same thing. I sent an email to DD headquarters, but haven't gotten a response. Just checked out their web page and there's no place to write on the wall.

The pharmacist also said that some fast food chains are starting to do the same because it's cheaper and makes the food taste better.

So I guess those of us who are allergic to nuts need to starting asking in the places we normally wouldn't ask.

On a more positive note, Bachman air popped popcorn is made in a "nut free facility".

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Second-Generation Hispanics Prefer English

Second generation Hispanics, particularly those of the Millennial age, are acclimated into the American culture and prefer English over Spanish. This is the word of several Hispanic marketing experts I've spoken with, but I've also seen it for myself.

We share our church with a Spanish church, and I've seen two families of young children switch from the Spanish service to the English service. The kids are happier because they get to hang out with the American teens and youth, and they can relate better to the message because English is either their first language or their primary language, having learned it very young in life.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

iPhone or Android? What's Your Preference?

I just had a conversation with an SVP of a major digital agency about one of their clients' mobile campaigns. The campaign was promoting both an iPhone and Android app, and I asked him, could I get the app on my BlackBerry? I wasn't speaking hypothetically. It happened to be an app that I would really like to have.

He said, unfortunately, no, and told me that, for the most part, iPhones and Androids are replacing BlackBerrys, and within the next few years, BlackBerrys will cease to exist. He said that, like myself, most BlackBerry owners have been transitioning, or are planning to transition up to either an iPhone or Android when they're ready for a new phone.

So I asked, off the record, do you have a preference? This is a guy whose company programs campaigns for both models every day, so who knows the challenges and benefits better, right? First, I asked, is the bug/crashing issue the same in Android vs. iPhone as it is in the PC/Mac world? He said yes. If you go with an iPhone, you are going to have a more protected environment because they control everything. But with an Android, you have many more options of what you can do with the phone.

Finally, I asked, is the price differential between the two similar to the price differential between the PC and Mac? And he said, surprisingly, they are priced on parity. That's good to know that price is not a deciding factor.

Do you have an Android or an iPhone? If so, what is your opinion/preference? I would love to hear from you. I won't be changing out my phone for probably another 12 months, and I would appreciate some real world opinions before I make my decision. Thanks to all.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Herman Cain Can Have His Book Back

About 10 years ago, I attended the annual Direct Marketing Association conference at which Herman Cain was the featured keynote speaker.

He had just released his book, Leadership is Common Sense, and was signing autographs after his speech, so I bought a copy and stood in line. I never got around to reading the book, but put it on a special shelf I keep of autographed books.

When he ran for the highest government office, I pulled the book out and decided I would read it. I haven't gotten around to it yet, but now, I don't see the point. Not only do I not want to read the book, I don't even want to keep it. I feel it taints the other books on the shelf. Just thinking about touching the book makes me want to wash my hands. With bleach.

I think it's time to give Herman Cain his book back. I no longer need it.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Housing Market Not Improving Any Time Soon

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I recently interviewed a real estate expert who told me that there are so many foreclosures on the market today that it would take three years to free up space in inventory for people to sell their homes at a reasonable price.

Also, I did some math on the 1987 stock market crash/recession. Nine years later, housing prices had not yet bounced back. I bought a condo in 1992 in sold it in 1996. At that time (nine years after the crash), it was assessed by the bank for $2,000 less than what we were asking, and what we were asking was $14,000 less than what we paid for it!

Then, in 2002, another six years later, I bought a condo again. At that time, prices were at the top of the range and I was in a bidding war. I actually lost a condo to someone who outbid me by $2,000. So from 1996 to 2002, just six years, prices inflated and went through the roof.

I have been saying all along that this recession is as bad as 1987. So does that mean it will take more than nine years (or even 15 years - the total amount of time it took to go from rock bottom to its peak) for the housing market to recover?  That's my prediction. We are three years into it and this expert told me it would take at least another three years to clear foreclosure inventory. That's six just to level off, then it will take time to get healthy again.

We're all in it for the long haul folks. You might as well paint that room, start that project, or just spend your money on a nice vacation because none of us are going anywhere.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Democracy in Action

Following the death of Libya's dictator Mohammar Khadafi, I find myself thinking back to the capture and deaths of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. To have experienced the downfall of three of the world's most horrific dicators in my lifetime is a blessing.

While we have had bad times, such as 9/11, I also feel blessed to have lived to see the fall of communism in the U.S.S.R., and the taking down of the Berlin Wall.

As they say, we haven't won the war yet, but today, we won the battle. God Bless America, NATO, and all soldiers who stand on the side of freedom and equality for all.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Sparky, the Legend

I want to take a moment to acknowledge a dog. Sparky. Sparky was more than a beloved family pet. She was the star of six children’s books authored by my friend Rick Arruzza. Rick traveled around Fairfield County, the country and even the Bahamas giving book readings at elementary schools and would often bring Sparky with him to meet the students. The children loved her, wrote her letters and interacted with her on her very own website.

In this age of abbreviated words through texting and snippets of short information on the Internet, children don’t often read enough. Rick and Sparky did a lot to get children excited about books and reading. Sadly, Sparky passed away on Friday. She will be greatly missed, not just by her family, but by writers everywhere for her efforts in getting children excited about reading. Good job, girl. Rest in peace, Sparky.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Brides Are Beautiful

I was driving down West Ave. in Norwalk yesterday when I saw a bride, her wedding party and all the invitees on the steps of a church. It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was out. The bridesmaids were in yellow gowns. They looked awesome. And the bride, well, let's just say I didn't have to know her to cry.

We all have our own "7 wonders of the world," the things that amaze us and that we think are beautiful. A young bride in a wedding gown is one of those things for me. I couldn't help but turn my head as I sat at the traffic light. I was disappointed when the light turned green. I wanted to keep watching.

My eyes even welled up with tears because she looked so beautiful. A bride in a wedding gown is just so naturally beautiful, I think. Definitely one of life's most beautiful things to behold.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

I Think the Royal Couple Should Start a Blog

Wouldn't it be great if Prince William and Princess Kate had a blog? They could tell us what's on their mind and about some of the things they're doing or what they care about. I think it would be a nice way to get involved with the world but still keep it low-key.

It would be nice to have that feel of a personal relationship with the newlyweds and hear their thoughts first-hand.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Why I Watched the Royal Wedding

Some people have asked me why a person my age would be interested in the wedding of a couple of twenty-somethings, and the answer, I think, is rather obvious.

First of all, we all loved Princess Diana. She was the people's princess -- she was one of us. Secondly, we've known William from the time of his birth -- we watched him grow up. To a degree, he is our son -- everyone's son today.

And because of that, we love him. And we're proud of him. Perhaps only women can relate to this. If you're a man and you think this is hogwash, well, you're a man.

So I take this opportunity to say congratulations Prince William and Princess Kate. I wish you a beautiful life, all of God's blessings and health and happiness. Perhaps we'll all live to see their children grow up and get married as well, and then it will be "our" grandson's or granddaughter's wedding day.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

I Hate February

I hate the winter. I hate the cold. I hate driving in precipitation. So I'm writing this post to let everyone know that the end of the bad weather season is near. There are just 18 days left in February. And the next 5-8 are all going to be above freezing, so hang in there! 

If I close my eyes, I can see the daffodils and the tulips already popping up through the snow. I can hear the birds chirping and I can feel the sun on my face and arms.

Yes it may snow in March, but March snow is wimpy snow. It melts within a couple of days. It can't hold its own. Baseball pitchers and catchers have already reported for training. That's a good start! Spring training will begin soon. Mmmm, I love that fresh smell of glove leather in the springtime.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's lush and green, smells like flowers, is bright as the sun and sounds like a wooden bat hitting a leather baseball. Crack!!! C'mon spring!

The worst is over. Better days are coming!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Thanks for Everything, Mom

I know it sounds silly, but I never thought I would see the day when my mother wouldn't be there to pick up the phone. I wonder, never mind the grieving process, how long does it take to simply accept the fact that she's gone? It's hard.

My mom was superwoman. She raised four children on her own. She worked two jobs most of her life. She bought a co-op, then sold that and bought a house. She did all the lawn mowing, the gardening, the gutter cleaning, the painting - inside and out. She hung light fixtures, replaced wall sockets. She was a clean freak. She would hang out of a second story window so she could wash it with ammonia. You couldn't pay me to hang out of a second story window!

I remember she taught me how to say the Hail Mary prayer while she was scrubbing the kitchen floor. I was probably about 7. I wasn't allowed any farther than the doorway. As she worked the linoleum on her hands and knees, she recited a line and I had to repeat it.

She was more a Mr. Fix It than a Martha Stewart or a Betty Crocker -- more Home Depot than Bed, Bath and Beyond. She didn't cook much, but what she did cook, she was the best at. She made the best stew in town. Her turkey on Thanksgiving was moister than anyone's I've ever tasted. She would put ol' Harry, or what ever his name was that year, in the oven around 11 p.m. the night before and keep the oven on low, say around 250. Then she would cook him all night, getting up every half hour to baste him. I think she turned the temp up to 300 or 350 around 6 a.m. Her stuffing recipe was her mother's. It's been handed down through the family, and I make it now.

I specifically remember the day she taught me to ride a bike without training wheels. I was 5. At one point, I asked her, are you holding on? And she said yes. But she wasn't. I turned around and discovered that, for at least the last 30 seconds or so, I had been doing it all by myself.

I was a sick child and she spent a lot of time (and money) running me to doctors and going back and forth to the hospital to visit me. I got a lot of extra attention in those younger years as I worked through my asthma attacks and she never complained.

We didn't get along too well in my teens and twenties (who does?), but in our later years, we became great friends, and spent a lot of time together. When she retired to Arizona, I left my husband behind and spent a week on two different occasions with her, just the two of us. "That's my mom," I told my husband. I have to see her.

As I try to work through each day, the pain is great and the void is large. But I have no regrets, save one: that I can't pick up the phone and call her today. She had a good life and so did I thanks to her hard work and unending love. I love you mom ... till we meet again.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Check Out RecycleBank!

Recently I became a member of RecycleBank. It's a program where you get rewards points simply for being green. It doesn't take much effort. You simply do the kinds of things you should be doing anyway.

I encourage everyone to check it out at http://www.recyclebank.com/.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Who Packs Your Parachute?

Just received a really great "pass around" email from my mom called Who Packs Your Parachute?

The PowerPoint tells the story of Major Charles Plumb, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot during the Vietnam war who was shot down by a surface to air missile, parachuted into enemy territory and lived as a prisoner of war for six years before being released.

Now he goes around the country speaking about his experiences, and one day a man came up to him in a restaurant and said I know you. You're Major Plumb. I packed your parachute!

It left him thinking, how many times did I walk by this guy, who was just a sailor and I a fighter pilot, how many times did I walk by him on the Kitty Hawk without a good morning or so much as a nod or eye contact?

Now Major Bloom goes around the country asking the question to his audience, who packs your parachute, and how do you treat them? Not just your physical one, but your mental one, your emotional one and your spiritual one?

Let's all remember to be kind to strangers because we never know what that person is going through or what they're capable of. The person we ignore today could save our life tomorrow. Or perhaps your simple "thank you" or "have a nice day" could help them get through theirs.

Remember, a kind word never hurt anybody!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Have you received a phone call from 866-312-9553?

Beware. This person says that you've won a car or a trip or some equally high level prize and that this is their last attempt to reach you, even though you swear you've never heard from them before.

It's some kind of a scam. Check out this website.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-312-9553/4#p160741726773102659

It sounds to me more like a time share message - like they want you to come down and if you just listen to their speech for three hours we'll give you blank just for coming. Not worth the time and effort. They can be very forceful with these things. I actually bought a timeshare once and it turned out to be a disaster. So bad, in fact, they they agreed to take it back from me no strings attached.

The caller ID comes up, for me at least, as Prize Award Center, but the person leaves a voicemail of Vandale Communications. It's different in different parts of the country, however, so beware.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

How would like your promotions created for free?

Well if you represent a really good cause, you just might be able to. I just received an email from an agency called TrendyMinds, and they're looking for next year's pro bono account. If you want to find out more information or apply, go to http://www.trendyminds.com/index.php/news/2011-pro-bono-program-accepting-applications/.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Give Hope

Dannon Yogurt is giving 10 cents for every code entered online from the inside of a yogurt lid to fight breast cancer. Buy Dannon products and then go to cupsofhope.com to enter your code.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Dismantling Arizona Law SB 1070

I like the idea of making it a crime to be illegal in the state. I wouldn’t mind doing that in every state. What I do not agree with is the way it's being implemented.

If you’re going to introduce such a huge law, then you have to have equal opportunity around it. First of all, there needs to be an amnesty period. You can’t decide in three months or however long they took that they’re going to make this a law tomorrow. There needs to be an amnesty period whereby people without proper paperwork can get that paperwork, and get it easily. Everyone who is illegal needs to have a fair chance to become legal.

Secondly, if you are in a country outside the U.S. and you apply for a U.S. visa, you stay in your home country until you receive the proper paperwork. If you come to America and apply for your paperwork once you get here, you are SOL. It is virtually impossible to get papers once you set foot in this country, and that makes no sense at all.

“Hi. I’ve been visiting for three weeks and I’ve decided I like it here. Can I please stay?” What the hell is wrong with that? Okay, 99% of the people who come into this country illegally don’t come for vacation. They come for life. But still, I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again: we wouldn’t have so many illegals if we didn’t make it so damn hard to become legal. We need to make this process waaaayyy easier and quicker.

Finally, all this buzz about Arizona profiling is really hurt the state. They’re losing visitors and they’re losing out of state students. They say they’re not going to profile, but they need to put their money where their mouth is and prove it.

Overall, I don’t have a problem with the law itself. I think it’s great. The problems are around how the law will be implemented and much work is needed there. Unfortunately, I don’t think the federal government sees the problems I see. I can only hope that someone in the House or Senate steps up to the plate and starts a dialogue.

And one more thing. Every person who thinks that every illegal immigrant should be sent packing needs to remember that every person who founded and built this country in the first 100 years was an illegal immigrant. You wouldn't be here if they couldn't come in.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

A Letter from Congressman Jim Himes on Earth Day

I received the following letter in my email today from Congressman Jim Himes. For those of you not on his mailing list, I'm sure he will appreciate my sharing it:

Dear Friends,
In the four decades since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have made remarkable progress in the fight to protect our planet. Today, our air and water are cleaner, pollution has been greatly reduced, and Americans everywhere are living in a healthier environment. We've passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and founded the Environmental Protection Agency.
The most critical moment for environmental protection is the one we face today. Our reliance on foreign fossil fuels has set us on a massively destabilizing path, threatening our national security, our environment, and our economy. Very simply, the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will be the nation that leads in the 21st century.
Congress has taken on the challenge of energy independence from many angles. The Recovery Act, Clean Energy and Security Act, and other legislation are all working together to improve our national security, create jobs, and protect the environment.
The Recovery Act included more than $80 billion in clean energy investments, such as building a bigger, smarter electricity grid and providing incentives for expanding manufacturing capacity for clean energy technology, and advancing vehicle and fuel technologies. In fact, the wind industry grew its capacity nearly 40 percent in 2009, blowing past expectations that existed prior to the passage of the Recovery Act.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act took a powerful and historic step toward a wholly new approach to energy in our country. Once signed into law, its reforms will help create 1.7 million clean energy jobs, finally end our nation's dangerous addiction to foreign oil, and begin to curb the harmful effects of climate change.
On this 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I take great pride in the steps we have taken to help protect our natural resources, especially those right here in Connecticut. For example, this past year, we increased funding for the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act to $15 million, up from $3 million previously. Additionally, the sweeping and significant Public Land Management Act signed into law by the president in March will strengthen our National Parks, improve the health of our forests, ensure better management of our public lands, and increase the quantity and quality of water provided to numerous local communities.
These are significant victories for the cause of environmental protection. But much work remains. As we take this day to consider how best we can protect the planet we call home, be assured that I will continue to work diligently on these measures and on any other which will help ensure the beauty and stability of our environment.
Sincerely,

Jim Himes

And a happy Earth Day to all!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

I Love Our Planet - Happy 40th Earth Day!

Earth Day is a very emotional time for me. As crazy as it sounds, it often brings me to tears. Perhaps it’s because I can feel the feelings of the living earth. Perhaps its because I respect the earth so much and all the power that it has and all that it gives us.

And then there’s the raw beauty of it. The rich colors of the flowers, the birds and the sunsets. The amazing highs of the mountains, the deep lows of the valleys and the awesome rock formations that you know weren’t there a few thousand years ago. The white sand, the crystal blue waters in some spots, the 20 foot high waves, the amazing creatures of the sea.

As cliché as it sounds, nature and the earth are truly wonders to behold and I work hard every day to make sure that we don’t ever lose this gift and this opportunity to coexist with nature that humans have been given. When I see garbage on the ground and see people disrespecting the earth by throwing things on the ground, I can almost feel the earth flinch or cry out. When I see landfills so full we have to close them and open new ones, it scares me that 100 years from now there might not be anywhere left for new landfills. Then where will the garbage go? I wonder, will our children’s children’s children have any parks to play in or will all that great space some day give way to landfills?

I love recycling. I worship recycling. When I see someone throwing a bottle or can away, I practically have chest pains. We as a society need to continue to learn how to recycle everything we use. I also am a big fan of garbage to energy. Let’s turn that garbage and the methane gas it emits into something useful.

Most importantly, let’s remember that the earth is a living thing and that existing on it is a privilege, not a right.
God bless America … and God bless the planet Earth.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Alicia Keys Is Hiring!

Just logged onto Monster.com and saw something I never expected to see. A large ad saying that Alicia Keys is looking to hire a head blogger for her new blog, I Am Super Woman. The blog will be all about empowering women. The site, IAAS.com, will create an online community connecting, inspiring and broadcasting important topics related to women.

I think it's a great idea!

Wish I could do the job but I just don't think I have the stamina anymore. It requires a lot of domestic and international travel, a trek into NYC every day and probably 24/7 availability.

Interested? Think you've got what it takes? Go to http://www.monster.com/ and click on the front page link. Good luck!!!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Gotta Love the New York Daily News

Today's issue of the New York Daily News started me off with a great laugh. The article, "The Most Ridiculous and Misspelled Tea Party Signs," presents more than a dozen photos of misspelled rally signs, many of which emphasize the fact, I love this part, that if you can't speak English, go home. So if they can't write English, where do they go?

Some good ones:
If you can read this sign your smarter than Nancy Pelosi
Obama Lier in Chief
No Mas Illegal Alliens
Dump the Polititions
One Hugh Mistake America (I feel sorry for Hugh!)
The US of A Constution
Make English America's Offical Language
Stop Taking from Hard Wroking People
Get Your Handout of My Pocket (Okay, thanks!)
Respect Are Country
Don't Mortage My Child's Future
Wealth Redistribtion
Repeel Congress (you mean, um, like an orange?)
Say No to Socilism (If you're going to say no to something, paaleeeze know how to spell it)
Thank you Fox News for keeping us infromed
This is America and our only lanoguage is English (but what language is lanoguage?)
1930s Gemany all over again
Impeah Obama
Patriotic Resisance
Don't Give Away My Daugter's Future

And my absolute favorite:
I am Joe the Plummer

Glad to see these are the people who think they represent our great country. I feel better now.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Self Magazine's Workout in the Park

Just received a promotion for this in my email box and it sounded like fun so thought I would pass it along.

SELF magazine is holding a Workout in the Park in three different cities across the country on three separate dates (one could actually attend them all if they had the funds and the time! Now wouldn't that be fun!).

April 24th, San Diego: Mission Bay Park
May 8th, New York: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
May 15th, Chicago: Grant Park

The events, which run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine, includes workouts, beauty and style consultations, and gourmet delights, among other things. You can get a schedule of events at http://www.selfworkoutinthepark.com/schedule.asp/

From the hall of shame department: The only negative for this event is that there is a $20 fee, which they completely buried on the website. I had to click all the way through to purchasing a ticket to find out what the fee was and even then it was very clear. Shame on them for being so secretive about the cost.

The good news is, 50% of the cost (minus a small transaction processing fee) goes directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure of breast cancer and cancerandcareers.org. So your money is going to two great causes.

They are anticipating more than 12,000 women for these events. Bags larger than backpacks and pets not allowed. The event is smoke-free. Enjoy!!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge

If you've been thinking about joining Weight Watchers, now would be a great time. Weight Watchers this week launched a campaign to get people moving, called the Walk-It Challenge, and it includes a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to one of America's greatest walking cities: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle or San Antonio, Texas.

To enter the Walk-to-Win Sweepstakes, you must have attended at least six meetings between April 4 and July 31, 20010.

The promotion culminates with June 6th, designated as Walk-It Day, on which Weight Watchers is encouraging everyone to walk a 5k -- the equivalent of 3.1 miles.

Weight Watchers is offering tips for training for a 5k, how to find friends to walk with, a training plan, ways to find an event, and a $5 off coupon for their POINTS Pedometer, which I love and wear every day!

For more information, go to the Weight Watchers website.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Save the Date! The African Children's Choir is Coming to Town

Save the date! The African Children's Choir is coming back to Norwalk, Connecticut.

They will be performing on Wednesday, April 28th at 7 p.m. at Norwalk United Methodist Church, 718 West Ave., directly across from the main library.

If you've never experienced these kids, they are a joy to watch. I fall in love with them every time I see them.

Every one of them is a victim of war-torn Africa, from Uganda, Somalia and other countries. They have lost either one or both parents, as well as siblings and were homeless before the choir took them in.

They now receive an education all the way through college and contribute their livelihood by traveling around the world singing and dancing. See them once and you will never forget them.

Learn more about the African Children's Choir at their website, http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Brooklyn Senator Wants to "Stop the Sag"

I love this article I found on Mediabistro this morning! According to the article, Brooklyn Senator Eric Adams has invested $2,000 of his own money in an advertising campaign he is calling "Stop the Sag"!

Check out the Billboard and his video.

Here's the link to his YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj7v_Ntih2k

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

I’ve Joined the World of the Tweeters

I’m a late Tweeter. I never bothered until now because I frankly couldn’t think of anyone I wanted to follow. But recently, I stumbled across the tweets of an American business owner I am acquainted with who was tweeting from Vietnam. I was so mesmerized by the things he was writing, about touching down in Ho Chi Min city (Saigon) and standing on the Ho Chi Min trail and actually physically touching and looking into the tunnels that the Vietcong used to get around us in the Vietnamese war and eventually win it.

I felt compelled to comment on his tweets and tell him how much the Vietnam war affected by teen years – that coming of age period when your school teachers start pushing you to give your own opinions about things and to study current events. “Well, do you think this is right or wrong, what they’re doing?” I remember hearing a hundred times, and many of those times it was about the Vietnamese war.

I was in eighth grade when Time magazine published its famous cover the naked girl running down the street covered in napalm with her village burning in the background. I can still see that photo like it was yesterday.

And my mom dated a guy for 7 years who was a tunnel rat. You get to be a tunnel rat by being a small skinny guy – someone similar in stature to a Vietcong who could fit in the tunnels and shimmy through them and kill anything in their path.

An ex-husband of mine is a Vietnam veteran. He has an album full of Polaroids taken in places he was stationed such as Phnum Penh and Da Nang, and we used to sit and look at those photos for hours with their tents made out of parachutes and men everwhere dressed in camaflouge with their shirts off. I remember how much it felt like I had just stepped out of Apocalypse Now or one of those other Vietnam War movies that were so popular in the late 70s and early 80s.

So when Alan started tweeting about Vietnam I felt compelled to start a dialogue and tell him my memories and how he was causing me to relive them. But then I thought, isn’t that the weirdest thing about Twitter? This man doesn’t know me. I’ve never met him or interacted with him before. But all of a sudden, because of this one thing I felt we had in common, I felt the need to interact, and even more importantly, I felt like I had the right to. But why would it matter to him? I thought. In the end, I decided my tweets would offer no value to him, and I never did comment on his. But it really left me wondering, what is the purpose of tweeting anyway? Is it a dumping ground for miscellaneous thoughts? Who wants to follow anyone around and hear every little thought in their head? I mean really, what is the point of it?

Then recently, I needed to start tweeting as part of a job assignment. So here I am a tweeter. I follow Alan now, but still wonder, will I ever talk to him?

Completely on the other end of the spectrum, a neighbor/girlfriend immediately found me on Twitter as soon as I joined and decided to follow me. Why? Simply because she can and because she’s curious about what I will say!

So now I feel that tweeting is part of my daily responsibility. It’s something I have to do. Not only that, but I need to write something that offers value to those who follow me. As a writer for allvoices.com, I expect to have more followers soon, so I’d better write things that they’re going to want to hear. It’s a whole new learning experience for me, and one that I am very excited to take.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Traditional Journalism Is Not Dead

Lately I have found myself wondering whether trying to solicit work from a magazine editor is the right thing for the future of my career. After all, digital media is where it's at today, right? So should I be changing my business model to become, say, an experienced Twitterer for hire?

I posed that question to an expert one recent afternoon. Thankfully, he told me my career is not facing extinction. Social media, he said, is not replacing what I do for a living, but rather, complimenting it. It's just one more channel I can publish in or market my services through.

Do I need to be digital savvy? Absolutely. Should I still be soliciting traditional magazine editors? Another yes. I guess I'd better get going.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Are Digital-Era Kids Reading Enough?

I recently interviewed a CEO of a social media agency. We talked about how times - and teens - have changed and it got me wondering. I have a stepdaughter who was practically born with a mouse in one hand and a cell phone in the other. Pick up a hardcover book? Uggh. If it's not on the computer, she's not really interested.

This, of course, concerns me because, if people don't read, I'm out of a job. So I asked, "Is she getting enough reading just by being online, or should I be concerned that she's not reading enough?"

He told me what I did not want to hear: she is definitely not reading enough just by being on the Internet. His solution: buy her a digital reader such as a Sony or an Amazon Kindle. You can't force a kid to pick up a book, but you can definitely encourage them to read.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Quotes of Our Lives

“I shall live badly if I do not write. I shall write badly if I do not live.”

That quote comes from Françoise Sagan. Who is Françoise Sagan, you ask? Well, to be honest, until 5 minutes ago, I didn't have a clue. I got the quote from the first page of an introduction to a book called A Cup of Comfort for Writers, edited by Colleen Sell, which my friend Cami gave me for Christmas.

I like the quote because it defines me. When I perused it, I found myself saying, “Wow, that’s me.” But as typically happens when I read a quote that I like and it turns out to be from someone I don’t know, I feel a pang of guilt for not knowing who the person is. As if I’m supposed to be familiar with every writer on earth. And then I feel obligated to obliterate the embarrassing point of not knowing before anyone finds out by figuring out who she is. Pronto.

So I went to my usual first choice for tidbits of history — Wikipedia — and found her biography. Turns out she was a French playwright, novelist, screenwriter and proverbial bad girl — she hung out with Truman Capote, did a lot of drugs, and had two very brief marriages. One lasted a year, the other two. Nice effort there, Françoise.

She didn’t write anything I’ve ever heard of: Hello Sadness is the only book they even mention, but of interest is their note that her book title was the inspiration for the first line of Simon & Garfunkel’s Sounds of Silence: “Hello darkness my old friend…” And there it is. That 15 minutes of fame I was looking for so I could say, “Ohhh, herrrrrr.”

So now, if anyone brings her name up at a party I can always say, “Yes, I know of her. Her book Hello Sadness inspired the first line of the Simon & Garfunkel song Sounds of Silence,” And smile sweetly. Shortly thereafter I’ll look around the room and my conversation partner will have wandered off, no doubt to jump on the Internet and find out who Francoise Sagan was before they get caught off guard again.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Tupak Shakur's Redeeming Quality

Sometimes you can know a limited amount of information about someone and you spend your whole life thinking that that is all they are.

For me, Tupak Shakur was one of those people. He was in the news all the time for being a troubled rapper, a thug. But recently, I learned something new about him. I learned that he was a voracious reader, that he loved books and that he carried one with him everywhere he went. As two very different people, we never had anything in common, but now we do, for as a writer, I feel connected to anyone who reads. Without reading, I have no job. So we have this one link, this one degree of separation, if you will.

Will I think differently about him now? Perhaps. Perhaps if he had lived we would be sitting down at a Starbucks to discuss some dogeared hardcover about the unjustices of life he's just finished reading. Or perhaps we'd be sitting down talking about what I'm going to write in his biography. Perhaps!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Fashion Sense for Athletes

Sometimes when I’m watching a sporting event on television, I find that I start to notice more feminine things that guys would never concern themselves with. My latest such thought-wandering occurred during the Super Bowl. I couldn’t help but notice how tight football players’ pants are. They literally look to me like they are wearing ballet tights. I understand that they are spandex and that football players need the room to move. But some of those guys look like they could use a size or two larger as their asses look like they have no pants on them at all.

Furthermore, I wonder how many football players wouldn’t be caught dead in actual tights. If you asked them to put on a pair of tights that fit them exactly the way their football pants fit, I bet the majority would have a problem with that, saying “I don’t wear tights”. But yet, on the football field, they feel perfectly comfortable in them.

This is in direct contrast to the shorts basketball players wear, which are extremely baggy. Some players wear “sports underwear” underneath them — they look like Fruit of the Looms but have legs, like Michael Jordan wears. This actually serves a larger purpose than just being underwear — they protect the player when they fall and their shorts ride all the way up, leaving them potentially exposed to millions of viewers. Until the day that basketball uniform shorts are made out of clingy spandex, I think all basketball players should wear sports underwear.

I also think basketball players should shave their armpits. There is nothing more disgusting than seeing a guy on the basketball court raise his arm and you get a bird’s eye view of four-inch long hair that is dripping wet and all matted together. Excuse me, I have to leave this blog to go throw up. I think that is about as disgusting as it can get on camera and I think they should all start shaving their pits.

In baseball, there’s nothing I find disgusting — only distracting, and that’s jewelry, especially chains around their neck. I feel it gets in their way as they move around and I also think jewelry is unsafe in active sports such as baseball. It’s also unsafe in sports such as football and basketball, but I believe baseball players take more liberties in this area. I think that all professional athletes should be required to leave their jewelry in their locked lockers.

Finally, there’s the subject of tattoos. Some tattoos can be sexy on a man. However, I also find them distracting when watching an athlete run around, particularly on the basketball court where they seem to be overdone. While they can’t come off, I think it would be great if athletes could take their tattoos off for a game and leave them in their lockers too.

On an up note, I like all the variety of style and color in tennis outfits. I think the pure white outfit with the little white skirt is straight out of the sixties and boring. I find the outfits that the Williams sisters wear and some of the other tennis players, including the men (a fad that I believe John McEnroe started), somewhat refreshing.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Animal Instinct in All of Us

Sometimes when we’re staring at the ceiling in the dark of night our mind can wander to the wildest of ideas. One such crazy thought came to me at 4:30 this morning as I lay awake in bed: that women, like most species, tend to follow the lead of the male when it comes to relationships. In other words, women develop an interest in the men who first show interest in them.

While it can happen that a woman falls in love with someone who has no interest in them and then that man eventually develops an interest in the woman as a result and falls in love with her and they get married and live happily ever after, I believe this is the exception, not the rule.

The rule, generally, is that the man shows an interest in the woman first and the woman notices that attention. He reaches out to her by asking her to dinner or for her phone number or by making eye contact across a crowded room. Even when we think feelings are mutual and the two develop an interest at the same time, I believe that, most often, something subtle was going on there first to bring the woman to the man’s attention.

This is very much the way it is in the larger animal kingdom. Males seek out a herd and locate and lock onto a female from a distance. They often use a mating call while standing on the outside of that herd, waiting to be accepted in by the female. But for the most part, the male arrives and makes himself available to the female, and the female has the option of accepting or rejecting him.

In this way, I feel that humans are very much like animals. Okay, I’m going back to bed now.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

A Zero-Waste, Carbon Neutral Soft Drink

Ad Age magazine is reporting that Coca-Cola plans to be carbon neutral at and produce zero waste from the Vancouver Olympic Games. That's great to hear. According to the article, cafe furniture will be made out of pine-beetle-salvaged wood; bottles will be made from 30% plant-based materials; and beverages will be delivered via hybrid cars and electric carts. I'm breathing better already!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Watch "The Soloist"

My husband and I just finished watching "The Soloist", the story of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr. originally of Cleveland, an accomplished cellist and violinist who struggles with schizophrenia and at one time lived on the streets of Los Angeles.

Ayers is played by Jamie Foxx, who gives an outstanding performance. Robert Downey Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times reporter who discovered Ayers playing one day in an open park. After getting close to him, Lopez starts writing about Ayers in his column.

Over a period of one year, Lopez befriends Ayers, manages to get him off the street and helps him have a better life, while also reuniting him with the sister he hasn't seen in years. Throughout the year, Lopez continues to write about Ayers in his column. It is these columns that eventually form his book about Ayers, which was ultimately turned into the movie Soloist.

The whole time I was watching this movie, I couldn't help but think about all the other homeless people out there and the stories they might have to tell. I was reminded of a Native American man who begs on the streets of New York. I haven't seen him in probably 7 or 8 years, since I no longer go into New York during the day on business. But I remember his long braided grey hair like it was yesterday. He always seemed so normal to me and I remember coming very close once to asking him, 'Why are you here?' If there ever was a person who was my "soloist", it would be him.

Anyway, if you want to be completely moved, watch this movie.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Heartfelt Prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Haiti. I pray that we react swiftly and are able to save lives.

I don't understand why we're not seeing reports of aid already on the ground. I understand that ships don't move very fast, but they could easily have flown aid into the Dominican Republic today and driven over to Haiti. We should be on the ground making progress right now. I think we're taking too long.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Two Thumbs Way Down for H&M and Walmart

I'm shocked and appalled by the story in the news that H&M and Walmart would rather destroy old clothes than give them to the needy, particularly after the year we've had. They don't deserve any of our business.

I'm already pissed off at Walmart because they don't sell any recycled paper products (i.e., tp, paper towels, etc.). They're supposed to be "the most" green retailer in the world and they don't even sell any recycled paper products here. At least I got to say something to a district manager today. Three big wigs were visiting our local Walmart store and were discussing something on the store floor when I walked up and said "excuse me". I was nice about it and they listened. Hopefully they'll do something about it.

But this, this is beyond low. It doesn't get any lower than this. This is pathetic.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Two Thumbs Up for Domino's Pizza

I am not a Domino's Pizza customer. In fact, if I had my choice of pizzas, Domino's would be last on my list and I'd have to be pretty desperate to eat it.

But I have to give credit where credit is due, and credit is due to Domino's' current television campaign. If you've seen it, then you know what I mean. They bare all when announcing the results of a customer survey. "Our crust tastes like cardboard." "Our sauce tastes like ketchup."

Those are pretty strong statements to admit, but to do it in front of millions of TV viewers is about as vulnerable as it gets.

They are making a commitment to improve the quality of their menu, and I will leave it up to their customers to decide when and whether the new product will pass the test. But they're off to a great start. In this age of the consumer in control and the consumer as the influencer, Domino's gets the concept of transparency and how it leads to customer trust and loyalty.

For that reason, I give two thumbs way up for Domino's' current advertising strategy.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Consumer Electronics Association Publishes Electronics Recycling Tips

Just found this article on Yahoo! with tips from the Consumer Electronics Association on what to do with old laptops, cell phones and other electronics you may want to dispose of now that Santa has brought you some great new techy stuff for Christmas.

Before you dispose, be sure to check out the CEA's advice on protecting yourself from identity theft.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/158498

Happy new year to all! May 2010 keep you and your family healthy, happy and rich in love.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Water Bottles Now Worth 5 Cents in Connecticut

According to the Container Recycling Institute, sales of plastic water bottles in the U.S. doubled between 2002 and 2005 from 15 billion to 29.8 billion.

And up until 2009, those bottles were recyclable but not returnable in the state of Connecticut. Now, if you live in Connecticut, you should be aware that your bottles are worth 5 cents a piece when returned along with your soda and beer bottles. If your family goes through a case of water a week, that's an extra $1.20 you could be getting back, or $62.00 a year.

While every penny counts today, $62 is still not much -- it doesn't even buy a family a week's worth of groceries. But over five years, that's $310. Ten years - $620. Do it your whole life and you can treat your family to a free vacation just by returning water bottles.

Also, returning the family's bottles and cans is a great way for a child or teen to make their own money. It also teaches them about the environment and about responsibility. And if there's one things kids and teens want today it's their own money.

So if you live in Connecticut, be advised you can now return your water bottles and get a refund.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

10 Ways You Can Recycle

Recycling is easy. Here are several ways you can recycle above and beyond what you're tossing into your the blue bin:

1. Metal hangers: bring them back to the dry cleaner. They will gladly accept them. Hangers are expensive and most dry cleaners these days are recycling hangers.

2. Eye glasses: Many eye glass retailers have a bin for recycling eye glasses. They get refurbished and go to the poor so they are put to very good use.

3. Cell phones: Pretty much every cell phone retailer today recycles old phones for the poor, so don't throw yours away!

4. Ink cartridges: Staples is just one retailer that gives points equal to $1 to for a returned ink cartridge. Return 10 ink cartridges, get $10 in a rebate check. You must be a rewards member to get the rebates.

5. Take your old books to your local library: Most libraries have a used book sale every year. Or, search online for a needy community such as areas struck by Hurricane Katrina that might be looking for books.

6. College text books: There are websites that both buy and sell college text books, including Barnesandnoble.com and ecampus.com.

7. Grocery bags: Bring your plastic bags back to the grocery store. Stop & Shop keeps a recycling bin in the entranceway.

8. Clothes: Donate your gently worn clothes to your local shelter or Goodwill store.

9. Batteries: Take your regular batteries down to your local firehouse. Ours collects hazardous materials on the first Saturday of every month.

10. BBQ propane gas cans: Take your empty propane tanks to a local propane company in your area. They will gladly recycle them.

And don't forget things like mulching your leftovers and making quilts for the poor out of your old clothes. There is a use for everything if you think about it!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Bravo Jet Blue

Last night, as I was boarding a Jet Blue plane from Austin, Texas to JFK in New York, the flight attendant began to call passengers in order of priority (i.e., those who need special assistance and families with small children first, etc.).

But yesterday was Veterans' Day and the flight attendant did something that I thought was very classy and cool. He asked if there were any veterans on line and he invited them to board first.

Way to go Jet Blue.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

"Alledged" and "Suspect" Are Alledgedly Suspect

I get that the law is black and white. You are innocent until proven guilty. But I feel we banty around these words "alledged" and "suspect" a little too much. When someone clearly did something, such as the major who shot and killed 13 people in Ft. Hood, there is no unclarity there. He did it. What is alledged and suspect is why or how because those facts have yet to be proven.

When a serial killer or a sniper has been "suspected" and the law is on the lookout for the person they feel the evidence is leading them to, they clearly have not yet proven who the killer is and it takes a court of law to pull all the evidence together and do that. The actions of the person they are seeking are "alledged" because it has not been proven that they have the right person.

But this is different. This is clear cut.

Does he have rights that need to be protected? Yes he does. But that has nothing to do with whether he did or he didn't commit the act. He did. Period. So why do we have to call him the alledged or suspected killer? He's a killer. His reasons are alledged. Not his actions.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

This Is It - Two Thumbs Way Up

My husband and I went to see the Michael Jackson tribute "This Is It", a compilation of video footage made from the rehearsals of Michael's "last" tour. I thought it was excellent.

I had my doubts before I got there because I questioned how much footage could they possibly have and how far could they stretch it? I expected it to be padded with a lot of fluff. It wasn't. It turns out, they filmed literally everything during the practices, so they had a ton of original material to work with.

We got to see every dance move Michael planned to make, and every update and new twist to every song, which I thought he did an excellent job of. One thing Michael Jackson never did was stand still. He always evolved, and it showed in the practices for the "This Is It" concert tour.

Also, since the show was only eight days away when he died, all the video backdrop footage was already done, so they had all that to share, as well. And they did a great of showing the personalities of his team, which I thought was nice because he worked every day for months with these people and they became his family. The dancers were awesome and the show he was planning would have been absolutely amazing.

Anyway, bottom line, I thought it was totally worth the money and the time. I felt like I was at a concert. I felt like he was still alive. I felt like he had never left. Go see it.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

TOMS Shoes Gets 15 Minutes of Fame

Okay, that’s an exaggeration, as they are already famous. But I was happy to see them make the “big time” recently when they were featured on American Spirit, a CBS nightly news feature with Katie Couric.

TOMS Shoes is a pretty cool company and I like what they do. For every pair of shoes they sell, they give one pair away to a child in need. Since the company’s inception in 2006, they have given away more than 150,000 pairs of shoes.

The company website explains that their “shoe drops” do a lot more good than just putting shoes on the feet of people who can’t afford them:

“Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.”

In addition, the site says, “Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.”

In Sodo Ethiopia, where the soil is rich in silica – a type of volcanic ash – people suffer from a disease called podoconiosis, which causes deformity, intense pain, ulcers and social stigma and exclusion. It is founder Blake Mycoskie’s trip to Ethiopia which is featured on CBS’ American Spirit.

It sounds like a continuous domino effect of poverty and poor health conditions. And solving this problem can be done with a simple pair of shoes. Wow.

Check out TOMS Shoes at http://www.tomsshoes.com/. You can shop, donate, intern at their Venice, California headquarters, host a ‘design your own shoe’ party, or join or start a TOMS Shoes Campus Club at your college.

Clearly one person, or one simple act, can absolutely change the world.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Good Bye, My Friend

To my friend Adriana who moved away today, there was never enough time to walk. Never enough time to share a bottle of wine, and never enough time to sit and teach you English while you taught me Spanish.

I will miss you, my friend!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Day I Almost Met Bill Clinton

One day I had to pick my husband up from work at Pepsico headquarters in Armonk, NY. It was about 2 p.m. I sat in the semi-circle with my car in park, engine running. There were a couple of other vehicles there, but I didn't pay them any mind. I never noticed that the one in front and in back of me were both black Escalades.

As I was waiting, I saw four people come out a side door. I noticed that one coincidentally looked a little bit like Bill. But I would never expect the former president of the United States to come out a side door. Nor would I expect him to have such a small entourage. Just him and three other people, including a woman who looked to me like someone who handled public relations for the firm. In addition, he was wearing an orange polo shirt and a pair of faded jeans and sneakers. The former president of the United States dressed so casually after a speech? Perhaps someone had already put his pinstripe suit in the car. He also looked unusually thin.

As he came closer to the Escalade in front of me, the one behind me moved up and cut in front of my car. Only then did I know for sure that it was really him. I wanted so badly to roll down my window and yell, Hey Bill! and wave. But I was afraid that if I did, I would have 20 secret service men in my face in about three seconds.

I watched him get in the car and the two Escalades drove off. But I'm disappointed that I missed my opportunity. He was only about 20 or 30 feet from the hood of my car. Bill, if you're reading this, perhaps you could make up for it by taking me to lunch one day. Well, at least I've got the memory.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The African Children's Choir Graces Norwalk, CT Again

For the second year, Norwalk United Methodist Church sponsored a visit by the African Children's Choir, and I have to say, if it is possible to fall in love with 30 children, I did. They also moved me to tears.

We had an hour long free concert on Saturday, October 17th and then an abridged show during worship services on Sunday, the 18th. And these kids are nothing short of amazing. If they come to your neighborhood, I highly recommend you go see them.

The children of the African Children's Choir, which was founded by missionary Ray Bennett 35 years ago, takes in children from war torn Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and other parts of Africa and gives them a life they would never have otherwise. In fact, many of them would be dead right now if it wasn't for the ACC. These kids have lost at least one, if not both of their parents and many of their siblings. They have been homeless, starving and living on the street or in refugee camps.

Once accepted by the African Children's Choir, they travel the world for one year, and are tutored while traveling from 9-5 every day. When they return home, they are provided with an education that goes all the way through college. Because of the ACC, these children have dreams. "I want to be a doctor," one said. "A pilot," said another.

Their smiles are beautiful, and they dance and sing African folk and spiritual songs beautifully. When they spoke, I was captivated. They are so cute when they say in their African accents, "I'm sure some of you would like to adopt us, but we are not available for adoption." (Laughter) "But there is a way that you can take us into your home." Then all the children pull out from behind their back CDs and DVDs and really cute t-shirts. Everyone laughs.

But seriously, the African Children's Choir has saved hundreds of thousands of children from poverty and death and turned them into adults and future adults who will be responsible for saving their country from war, poverty and hunger. Please check out their website at http://africanchildrenschoir.com/ and turn your speakers on so you can hear their angelic voices. Buy a CD, DVD or t-shirt, or simply donate to their cause. You can save a child. No amount is too small.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

The Greenest Town in America

This news item in Native Energy’s e-newsletter really grabbed me and I wanted to share it. On May 4, 2007, a tornado destroyed 95% of Greensburgh, Kansas and killed 11 people. In their efforts to rebuild, the residents of Greensburgh decided they were going to make their town the greenest in America.

They recently broke ground on the Greensburgh Wind Farm, which will generate enough energy to power 4,000 homes, which is more than enough electricity for every home, business, and municipal facility in this little town. The wind energy will displace fossil-based energy and reduce hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon pollution.

Very cool. Go Greensburgh!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Who Is Responsible for the Sound of Music Train Station Video?

I think the choreographed dance routine to the song “Do Re Mi”, which takes place at the Centraal Station in Antwerp, Belgium, is about the greatest thing since sliced bread. I love watching it and I never seem to get tired of it. I’ve already watched it at least a dozen times. It’s playing on my desktop right now, in fact!

But after about the twelfth time, I became intensely curious. Who is responsible for this really creative and original fete?

There are so many things I like about this video. First of all, there’s the wardrobe, or lack of one. All the dancers are wearing their own clothes, ranging from business suits to jeans, hoodies and sneakers. They truly look like 200 people who simply came to take a train and got caught up in the excitement and fun of it all, and oh by the way, they all just happened to know the steps! At one point, you see this fifties-ish guy with grey hair and a tan coat smiling and watching like he thinks it's really cool, and a few minutes later he's smack dab in the middle! And then there's this twenties-ish really tall guy in a dark suit who looks like he could be anybody's accountant in the very last row on the end and he's completely into it!

And I especially like the looks on their faces when the music starts. They’re all looking around like, “Where is this music coming from?” like they have no idea and are really surprised. They pull that off really well.

So I did some Googling and here’s what I found. According to Surfstation.com, the promotional stunt was put on by a Belgian television program, which was looking for someone to play the lead in a remake of “The Sound of Music”. The Huffington Post says it is a promotional stunt for a reality show.

Either way, HuffPo offers a great explanation for why I, and roughly a million other people, enjoy this video so much: “We’re in a global economic crisis, America’s fighting two wars, there’s genocide in Darfur, AIDs running rampant, and a pretty good shot that we could all be killed by bird flu in a year or two. We need this video.” Well that certainly explains a lot.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Kanye West Doesn't Deserve an Ounce of Fame

Did anyone catch the MTV music awards last night, or if not, the news this morning about his actions at the awards?

He actually interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech of the MTV video of the year award, pulled the microphone out of her hands and said that Beyonce's video was awesome. In other words, that she deserved the award. Taylor didn't know what to say after that.

Kanye West is rude, arrogant, pretentious and doesn't deserve one ounce of fame. He deserves to be knocked down a few pegs. How sad that someone can be so uncaring and self-centered in this day and age.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Can We All Have a Moment of Silence Please?

We won't forget. For all the people who died on September 11th, 2001, for all the spouses who lost their other halves, for all the children who lost their parents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and for all the people who lost their bosses, friends, colleagues, buddies and team members. We know you haven't forgotten. We haven't forgotten either.

This moment of silence is for you and for the loved ones you lost.

May peace be with you.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

God Bless Tuesday’s Children

Hugo graduated high school last June and is now working in a restaurant with the hopes of becoming a chef. He’s following in his father’s footsteps, but unfortunately his father isn’t there to tell him how proud he is of his son. His father was a chef at Windows of the World on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. He died on September 11th, 2001.

There are thousands Hugos. Thank God there is Tuesday’s Children. Tuesday’s Children is a nonprofit organization that helps families of 9/11 with parenting, mentoring, legal issues, career counseling, life management skills and health and wellness.

If you or someone you know lost a loved one on September 11th, you are invited to their annual anniversary luncheon. It’s passed the RSVP date, but I doubt they would turn away a new member from their fold:

Date: Sept. 11, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Merchants NY Café
Address: 90 Washington Street
Between Rector and Washington
New York, NY 10006
Phone: 212-363-6000
RSVP: sara@tuesdayschildren.org
Or danielle@tuesdayschildren.org

Out of sadness and pain comes something wonderful. If you would like to donate to Tuesday’s Children, go to http://www.tuesdayschildren.org.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Health Care Town Hall Meeting Rises to a Boil

Last night I attended one of those town hall meetings on health care that have been all over the news. There were about 5,000 people in attendance from Stamford, Greenwich, Westport, Wilton, Weston, Norwalk and Darien.

The tension was high. Dissension was high. People were screaming from the audience. Most of the comments were pretty stupid. One woman yelled, "equal opportunity health care is not a constitutional right!" Huh? Another one yelled, "I don't want to pay for abortions!" Again, huh? Wow, there's a lot of misconception and ignorance in the world.

First of all, I believe that equal opportunity health care IS a constitutional right. Let's remember that most of the rights we have today - like the right for women to vote and for integration, not segregation - came long after the original constitution was written.

Here are some other things I know:

FACT: A 36-year-old woman's insurance company wouldn't pay for her $6,000 weekly chemo treatments because the treatment was new and "not proven".

FACT: There have been numerous stories about people who needed bone marrow transplants and insurance companies refused to pay for the expensive procedure because "it wasn't proven". It took years of fighting to get insurance companies to pay for these. I wonder how many people died waiting.

FACT: I've been turned down by insurance companies. My husband has been turned down by an insurance company. Insurance companies should not be allowed to turn anyone down.

FACT: We ended up forfeiting our COBRA because the rates were raised so high that we couldn't afford them. Insurance companies should not be allowed to charge absorbitant rates.

FACT: We're already paying for schools in our taxes. I don't have any kids in the school system but yet I have to pay for it anyway.

FACT: My taxes go to pay for the highways and the roads. I work from home so I don't use those highways and roads as much as most other people but yet I'm still paying the same amount for those roads as everyone else. Why not pay for healthcare out of our taxes?

FACT: From the time we are first old enough to work (i.e., age 16), we start paying into social security, something that none of us uses until we reach retirement age, yet no one has ever complained about paying into that. Furthermore, some people never even reach retirement age and never get to use any of it. Most people never get to use all of it. But no one has any problem with that.

I believe that equal opportunity healthcare is a constitutional right for all Americans. I believe that any government run program that requires us to pay into it from our paychecks should be for documented Americans only (but I also feel there should be better ways and more opportunities for undocumented aliens to become documented). And anyone who thinks that a government run healthcare system is going to pay for free abortions for the poor is an idiot. Unless that person is raped and is an uninsured minor. Then I think it makes sense.

The only shout out in the crowd that I heard last night that makes any sense at all is this: let's not try to boil the ocean. Let's take small steps. Today, pass a law that says that insurance companies cannot deny anyone insurance and make it illegal for insurance companies to deny preexisting conditions or new forms of medicine. That would be a great start. From there, we should move on to make payments affordable.

Perhaps there are certain medical wellness processes that could be government run, such as child vaccinations, mammograms, pap smears, prostate cancer tests, eye exams, blood pressure screenings, etc. Things that we can all benefit from. I am not opposed to government run medical insurance that creates a level playing field for all who need care, and I am not opposed to paying for it out of my paycheck or my taxes. Let's find a workable program that meets the needs of everyone.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Some People Are Sooooo Stupid

I can't believe what I just saw. I was pumping gas and along comes this guy about 60 with a frumpy hat who looks like he's had waaaay too much alcohol in his lifetime to even remember his own name. He walks through the gas station smoking a cigarette and then tosses his lit cigarette butt on the ground near the gas pumps.

This made me furious! I can't believe that we actually have people in this society that are that stupid! I started yelling at him but he didn't hear me. Or maybe he just didn't care.

And then, his next move was classic - it was 9:00 a.m. He walked directly into the liquor store to get more pickel juice.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.

Michael Will Live On

By the end of this year, I predict that you will hear about the launch of the Michael Jackson Foundation.

Within the next 12 months, I predict that Michael Jackson will post-humously receive no less than three humanitarian awards. One will be created in his name.

By the end of next year, I predict that you will hear about the launch of Neverland Ranch as a permanent Michael Jackson Museum.

By the time she is 18, I predict that Paris Jackson will become a staunch advocate for the betterment of all humanity and she will dedicate her entire life to humanitarian work.

It would have been wonderful to see the creations Michael would have come up with in his next 20 years - and I have no doubt they would have been great. But the real loss is in his humanity. He has got to be one of the top two humanitarians in the entire world.

Dirty laundry? Please. We've all got that. I'll bet you can name three people you know personally whose dirty laundry is worse than Michael's. So get over it.

I'm very sorry he left us at such a young age and I pray for his family, especially his children.

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.