Happy Halloween

A little lovesong for the most ghoulish holiday of all, here’s Dead Man’s Bones‘ “My Body’s a Zombie for You.” There is handclapping, there are children howling,  there is a teacher leading everybody in song in what sounds like a classic cafetorium (and I bet that teacher is really nice and gives everybody candy during [...]

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Friday Free for All

I love this soon-to-be poster from I Heart Guts so much.  I know Always’s current motto is “Have a Happy Period,” but I Heart Guts has won the crown here.  Other contenders for world’s happiest period: Fussybutt fussystuff, Monthlyinfo.com email reminders, and the best titled T-shirt I’ve seen in awhile “A Womb of One’s Own” [...]

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The Personal and the Political

Dear Millicent,
In regards to our ongoing conversation about the place of personal narrative in abstract ethical argument, as well as our consensus on the trials of weddings, I thought Jessica Valenti’s post today about her recent wedding might be of interest.  In her post “Well, I’m damn sure I’m never getting married again,” she writes [...]

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Letter From a Sterling Institute Ex-Friend

Thanks to Hank for writing in about how his friendship with a longtime family friend changed as a result of the Sterling Men’s Institute (Hank’s comment originally appeared here):
I’m a veteran of men’s gatherings ala Robert Bly’s “Ironman” and was invited by a longtime family friend to participate in The Sterling Men’s Weekend (for $900.00). [...]

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The Eyes Have It

Millicent,
I would like to say this is some kind of metaphor for marriage,  or an easy slight on bridezilla culture, but it’s too grand for analysis.  I cannot stop thinking about this picture:
I have tried to write about other things, but I am defeated.
Yours,
CF

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Letter from a Sterling Institute Ex-wife

Thanks to Karen who wrote this lengthy account in response to this post on the Sterling Institute. Readers: if you’ve had any experience (direct or indirect) with the Sterling Institute, feel free to comment below.
Karen, over to you:
My ex husband attended a weekend. Supposed to improve his relationships with all people, including work/management relationships which [...]

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Yep. Follow us on Twitter.

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Drilling Down

Dear Millicent,
The fall, with it’s famous bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils, must sound the alarms of kick-in-the-pants nationwide. As you suggest National Novel Writing Month (I get head-achey at the acronym), I am also considering another internet regimen: Apartment Therapy’s Fall Cure.  The two are connected, and I’m very much considering joining you in the [...]

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ShudWeNaNoWriMo?

Dear CF and beloved commenters and lurkers,
National Novel-Writing Month. I’m gonna do it, or a variant of it that might start a little earlier. Wanna join me?
Below are the official rules, which we could tweak. For example, I like the starting from scratch idea that doesn’t let me use any previous drafts or notes. I [...]

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Whip It: Girls Need to See This Movie

Someone once said they would go out tonight but they haven’t got a stitch to wear, and I’m feeling that way after watching Whip It: in need of clothes and a destination.
Having seen it, I’m predictably fascinated by roller derby, awed by Juliette Lewis, and delighted with Drew Barrymore and Kristin Wiig. I’m all-around pretty [...]

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