Out in Left FieldOut in Left FieldWhere parenting and politics meet, but don't always play nice. Articles
New Years’ resolutions are for quitters
2010-12-30 13:28:00 According to the Wall Street Journal, most people promise to quit something in the New Year. Smoking, drinking, and overeating are the biggies. Over 80% of the population vows to quit one of these evils, yet only 1 out of 5 will actually keep the resolution past a few weeks. When you quit on quitting ...
A must-have app for your new iPhone
2010-12-26 17:23:00 Two short stories and five of my columns are available at Ether Books. Download the app for free here. For now, you can download my work on your iPhone, iPod, and iPad. Soon, Ether Books will be available on other Smartphones as well. …More columns and stories to be published in the new year. More About: Iphone
Silly kid, rabbits are for tricks
2010-12-22 20:17:00 I am rarely speechless. Oh sure, there was that time when doctors told me I was carrying twins and I had nothing to say for at least ten minutes. Remember when a great deal of people re-elected George Bush? I was stumped for hours. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen often. Where my children are concerned, I ... More About: Tricks , Silly
Ladies, we are worth it
2010-12-17 20:07:00 I’m sick of women who spend hours putting on makeup, coloring their hair, and squeezing themselves into industrial-strength undergarments only to turn around and rail against cosmetic surgery because, really, we should love ourselves and our bodies just as they are. A few years ago, after losing all the weight I’d gained while pregnant with ... More About: Worth
Back at Studio 10 to discuss my third CL cover story
2010-12-16 22:59:00 The War on Christmas is Over – my cover story for Creative Loafing can be found in newsstands for the next week. Please pick up a copy. I dropped in on the good folks at Studio 10 this morning to discuss all you crazy Christians and why you have a problem sharing this season with ... More About: Story , Back , Cover
The War on Christmas is over, if you want it
2010-12-14 18:50:00 Since 2005, corporations and national chains have been under attack. Every year, starting around Halloween, angry people call talk radio to rant about the injustices happening in companies all over the country. Boycotts are in effect before snow starts to fall as editorials are printed, complaints mailed, and protests planned. These businesses are never in ... More About: Christmas
Olivia’s a Professional Now
2010-12-13 20:55:00 A short story for your review… The stares as I walked down Marshall Street were encouraging. The men looked horny, the women jealous. “Mission accomplished, Olivia ,” I thought, feeling my nipples grow hard the way they always did with the right mix of lust and hostility. I wore a blonde wig that day, shoulder-length and ...
I wrote a book about teaching: Learning Curves – available now
2010-12-07 16:42:00 Description: Carolyn Reardon loved being a full-time mom, but after enrolling her children in preschool, she wanted to do more than just wait for them at home every day. Becoming a high school teacher seemed like the perfect career. At first, Carolyn found meaning as an educator, helping students who grew to appreciate her enthusiasm ... More About: Teaching , Book , Learning , Wrote
How to enjoy the holidays without gaining weight or killing your family
2010-12-03 03:02:00 It’s that time of year again, where temperatures dip into the low 80s and we get a break from humidity for about twenty minutes each morning. Looking around my family, the signs are everywhere. Dad puts away his fishing gear and breaks out the train set. For about a month, he’ll slowly put together his ... More About: Holidays , Family , Weight , Enjoy , Gaining
I need your help
2010-12-01 01:45:00 Well, I don’t need your help exactly, but someone I know does. He’s an elderly man who violated his probation over twenty-five years ago, in Florida. He moved out of state and is now being threatened with losing his Social Security checks each month. If there is anyone out there who can help this man ...
Oy to the world
2010-11-30 14:42:00 Until our children were born, almost eleven years ago, we hadn’t realized how boring our Chanukah routine had become. Year after year, we’d light candles, sing prayers, open a gift, eat latkes, open a window, and go to sleep. Eight nights in a row and that routine gets old. When we became parents, Husband and ... More About: World , The World
Too dumb for a Smartphone
2010-11-19 12:10:00 The only thing that scares me more than borrowing my husband’s nasal hair clippers, is borrowing his cell phone. Oh sure, I can talk on it. But only when I’m not applying myself. Husband’s digital trouble maker can do so much more, like text, take pictures, and entertain ten year-old boys with fun applications like ... More About: Smartphone , Dumb
The more Thanksgiving changes, the more it stays the same
2010-11-17 15:08:00 Sometime during the next few weeks, someone will inevitably ask me, “Do Jewish people celebrate Thanksgiving ?” I will smile and explain for the nineteenth time that we celebrate Thanksgiving, dress in costume for Halloween, eat chocolate hearts on Valentine’s Day, and break all our New Year’s resolutions. Just like every other American. Thanksgiving always takes ...
I’m out like bathroom grout.
2010-11-15 17:18:00 Blogging for five and a half years has been great – terrible, awesome, and great. Out in Left Field has been my own personal writing workshop, practice den, and meet-n-greet. I’ve even survived a few death threats and learning experiences. But it’s time for a change. I write two columns, one for The Tampa Tribune ... More About: Bathroom
“The camera adds 20 pounds, but not a tan.” Observations from m
2010-11-11 03:11:00 After watching my latest appearance on Studio 10 at least nine times, in between a Thai birthday dinner and half a piece (read: 2) of red velvet cake, I feel the need to defend myself. 1) If you’re on television and do not have an eating disorder, you deserve some sort of award. I’m thinner ... More About: Camera , Observations
“I should be on my second glass of wine by now.” Reflections of
2010-11-09 01:32:00 Youngest was cast in a local musical, Camelot, and thus began our family’s journey into the world of community theatre. Much to his credit, my ten year-old actually enjoyed four weeks of rehearsals, seven performances, and two rather uncomfortable fittings, all while wearing jazz shoes and tights. He was one of only two kids in ... More About: Wine , Reflections , Glass
Take a chill pill
2010-11-04 18:12:00 I give off a certain “do-it yourself” vibe. This attitude, combined with my independent streak and naturally curly hair, might suggest to some that I’m against professional help of any kind. I’m not. In the past year, I’ve talked to many friends and relatives who have experienced mental-health problems such as depression, anxiety attacks, and ...
Something smells: Post-election changes at OILF
2010-11-03 21:48:00 The day after an historic election seems like a good time to talk about change. I mean, come on, it’s better than killing ourselves. Some readers have already noticed something afoot here at Out in Left Field. More developments will be announced in the next few weeks, or perhaps even sooner, but here is a quick guide, ... More About: Post , Election
Election 2010: Who are the real winners and losers?
2010-11-02 13:54:00 This year, for the first time in my life, I almost didn’t vote. Unmotivated, uninspired, and genuinely disappointed in my party and people, I had to stop and think about the reasons why I should spend time and energy researching issues and fact-checking political ads in order to make an informed decision. Ultimately, I ... More About: Election , Winners , Real , Losers
CLOSED: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so…
2010-10-31 15:39:00 UPDATE: Thanks to your help, we sold 28 copies during the month of October! The goal was 25 – and I appreciate everyone’s support. Those of you who purchased Olivia’s Kiss and told your friends, you are responsible for helping domestic violence survivors in the Tampa Bay community. I will be mailing a check for $59.00 to The ... More About: Domestic , Awareness , Violence
UPDATE: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so…
2010-10-24 16:39:00 UPDATE: Thanks to you, I’ve sold seventeen copies! With only a week to go, my goal is 25 – so please help out by purchasing Olivia’s Kiss and telling your friends. Read below for details. Domestic violence survivors need and deserve our help! xoxoxoxoxox How does a humor writer deal with this conundrum? There’s nothing ... More About: Awareness , Update , Violence
Walk it off – women and their cramps
2010-10-23 14:32:00 Newspapers recently reported that the antidepressant Prozac can help women who suffer from PMS, mood swings and maybe even the desire to eat lots of chocolate. Obviously, if women are fighting severe symptoms every month, they should seek a physician’s help. But after hearing women complain for the past 40 years, I have doubts. When ... More About: Women
UPDATE: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so…
2010-10-15 17:39:00 UPDATE: Halfway through the month, I’ve sold seven copies. My goal is 25 – so please help out by purchasing a copy of Olivia’s Kiss and telling your friends. Read below for details. Domestic violence survivors deserve our help! xoxoxoxoxox How does a humor writer deal with this conundrum? There’s nothing funny about one person ... More About: Awareness , Update , Violence
A clueless graduate returns to college, gives advice anyway
2010-10-12 22:08:00 I haven’t been back to USF since graduating in 1994, so at first, I thought a return to campus would be fun. Like a reunion, without the awkward small talk and Botox injections. I parked in my old spot, over near the Sun Dome, and slowly meandered toward the cluster of buildings where most of ... More About: Advice , College , Graduate
Including kids in an anniversary celebration, and other dipshit decisions
2010-10-11 01:57:00 Husband and I celebrated a wedding anniversary last week and headed back to Rusty Pelican, the charming restaurant where we were married fifteen years ago. We took our boys with us back in 2005 and showed off two little men who, at five years of age, looked adorable in suits and ties. This year, for ... More About: Kids , Anniversary , Celebration
6 ways to fight back against bullies
2010-10-08 19:32:00 Headlines have brought us disturbing stories lately about kids being pushed toward suicide by unrelenting bullies. This trend, kids victimizing other kids, is nothing new, but the internet has made us all more aware. Some of these teenagers were targeted for being gay. Suicide is heinous, and among young people it’s especially tragic. Dan Savage ... More About: Fight , Back
The lemonade stand that never was, and other disappointments
2010-10-04 12:03:00 My kids were bummed the Red Sox didn’t advance to the playoffs, but thrilled the Rays made it. As everything was unfolding earlier in the week, they got an idea. “How about Youngest and I earn money to buy playoff tickets?” Oldest asked. “We want to host a lemonade stand.” Unlike the Bucs, Rays’ tickets ... More About: Lemonade
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so…
2010-10-03 14:21:00 How does a humor writer deal with this conundrum? There’s nothing funny about one person beating the shit out of another, so I won’t even try to make a joke. I’ll do this instead. During the month of October, I am donating 100% of my profits from the sales of Olivia’s Kiss ($3.99 on Kindle) to ... More About: Domestic , Awareness , Violence
Don’t want my kids raped or shot: One mother’s search for the perfect m
2010-10-01 15:43:00 Perhaps I should start this post with a clarification. Tampa Bay/Orlando/Lakeland has plenty of perfect middle schools. I happen to be looking for one that’s perfect for my kids. And while we’re on the subject, what the hell? I’m not old enough to have kids in middle school! Oh wait, my Oprah arms beg to ... More About: Kids , Search , Shot , Perfect
20 lessons learned in New Jersey
More articles from this author:2010-09-27 03:38:00 Leaving the classroom and becoming a “former teacher” is scary. Two years ago, I did it anyway. Since then, more than a few times, I’ve questioned the sanity of getting back into business after such a long time away. I’m now in a completely different industry and again reminded that learning a whole new set ... More About: New Jersey 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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