Tag Archives: philosophy

Holidaze

Posted on February 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

TAKE COVER

Truly bizarre holidays are colliding!!

It’s Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar, so you’ll be hearing — and seeing — a lot about that today.

It’s also National Margarita Day.  So those of you who are thinking about giving up liquor might want to pause and reconsider.

Actually, it’s International World Thinking Day, Be Humble Day, and Walk the Dog Day, too…

Might I suggest the following order of events?

  1. Walk the dog.
  2. Think hard about what you’re giving up for Lent, if anything. (Hey — Downton Abbey is off the air for months…isn’t that penance enough?)
  3. Be humble about your decision. (Translation: no need to mention it every day.)
  4. Have a drink.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

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Posted in Humor, Holiday, Entertainment, Comedy, Life, Commentary, Religion

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Rain day

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Guess who was waiting to greet me at my front door this morning?

Surly little devil.

And rumor has it he plans to hang around all day.

Uninvited.

Now, I have two possible responses to my unwelcome guest.

First, I can let him ruin my day.  Get nothing accomplished.  Eat too much.  Get depressed. Perhaps shed a tear or two for no particular reason.

Or I can chose the far healthier response…

Go see a movie.

I still may not get as much work done as originally planned.  I may — okay, I will — eat junk food.  And if I end up crying, that simply means…

It was another great day at the theatre.

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Posted in Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies, Philosophy, Weather

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Where there’s smoke

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 2 Comments

For people who celebrate Chinese New Year — or just heart Chinese food — today marks the official beginning of the Year of the Dragon.  According to legend, the dragon is a symbol of good fortune, intense power and authority.

That’s so hot.

But I have to wonder – what kind of dragon will 2012 be?

Will it be like the dragon in the first Shrek movie — ferocious and fire-breathing one moment, then a puddle of mush the next, all because of the attentions of a wise-cracking yet lovable Donkey?

(And how many months of the year will be fire-like, and how many mush?)

Or will 2012 be a dragon with a temperament more in keeping with the three beasts in the Tri-Wizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?  They also breathed fire and brimstone, but were initially restrained by bars and chains.  When they finally broke free, they fought till the death to vanquish their enemies.

Not sure I want to go up against a year like that.

No, I would prefer the Year of the Dragon to be more like Toothless in How to Train Your Dragon.  He was first misunderstood and underestimated, but man oh man — didn’t he end up being exactly the kind of dragon you wanted on your team when the going got tough.

Yep.  That’s the 2012 I’d like to see.

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Posted in Animals, Astrology, Commentary, History, Holiday, Humor, Life, New Years

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Something new

Posted on November 9, 2011 | 6 Comments

“Do something that scares you everyday.”

Well, today I am doing just that.

Something that I’m sure will be fun…but that kinda scares the bejeezers out of me!

I promise to tell you all about — as much as I’m allowed, anyway — in Thursday’s Egg.

Any guesses on what it might be?  Leave them in the comments section.  (Family members and friends who already know, please refrain from spoiling the fun.)

I don’ t think I look quite that frightened.  (Here’s hoping my poker face is a bit more convincing.)

Wish me luck, guys!

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Posted in Commentary, Entertainment, Friends, Humor, Life, Philosophy

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Say…

Posted on July 6, 2011 | 2 Comments

As I sat down to write this post, I happened upon a quote:

“The finest command of language is often shown by saying nothing.” – Roger Babson

Made me wonder if I should write at all.  (Obviously, that didn’t happen.) Instead, I vowed to follow the direction of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe:

“Less is more.”

Such a wonderful philosophy.  It’s probably why blogs first became popular (and are being rapidly replaced by the even briefer tweets and text messages).

It’s why one bold accessory works best.  Why you do either a bright lip or a smoky eye (but not both).  Why minimalist home design will always endure.  Why classic jeans and a tee will always be the perfect outfit, no matter the occasion.

And why just a kiss of chocolate is always enough.

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Posted in Blog, Blogs, Celebrities, Commentary, History, Humor, Internet, Life, Philosophy, Writing

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Something’s a’foot

Posted on June 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last month Jennifer Aniston’s 15-year old Welsh Corgi-terrier mix, Norman, died of old age.

The two were often photographed together walking, and she always took him with her to set on long movie shoots.

“He’s just a person in a dog suit,” she once said.

I get that.

This week the tabloids were full of the news that Jennifer got her first tattoo.  What did it say?  Was it new boyfriend Justin Theroux’s name?  Or some mid-life crisis bit of philosophy in Chinese characters?

None of the above.  The ink on her right foot simply says “Norman.”

Now, I’ve never even remotely considered getting a tat.  I’m notoriously commitment — and needle — phobic, and permanent body art requires both.

But a tattoo dedicated to my dog Rory?  Perhaps his name in the simple sans serif font that I favor?  Or a tiny artist rendering of his amazingly expressive face?

Oh yes, I could commit to that.

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Posted in Celebrities, Design, Dogs, Entertainment, Family, Friends, Humor, Life, Love, Relationships

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Latter days

Posted on June 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

There are a lot of things I expect to find in Times Square.

Tourists.  Jammed sidewalks.  Street vendors.  More tourists.  Theatres.  Traffic.  Hey look — more tourists.

But ads for the Mormons — not the musical, the church — on every surface?

That’s a bit surprising.

The ad campaign by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was launched last week in Times Square in an attempt to re-brand the Mormon faith as “normal.”

The ads feature photos of ethnically-diverse, regular people.  One guy is even riding a motorcycle.

Yep.  Looks pretty normal from here.

Why the LDS church chose now to launch their campaign can be debated.  Is it because of the upcoming presidential campaign, which includes a Mormon GOP candidate?  I don’t know; he’s run before without their intervention.

Or is the timing and location of the campaign in response to the wildly successful Broadway show The Book of Mormon, which won nine Tonys (including Best Musical) and will no doubt go on to do a national tour?

If so, Church Fathers, worry no more.  The Book of Mormon is one of the most positive things to happen to your religion since the golden plates.  Everyone who walks out of the theatre knows more about your faith and the commonalities it shares with their own.

The humor unites us.  The ads?

They’re just more traffic.

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Posted in Advertising, Broadway, Business, Commentary, Entertainment, Family, Friends, Humor, Life, Philosophy, Travel

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Lock me up

Posted on June 15, 2011 | 1 Comment

Every two years, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University publishes their “Freedom in the 50 States” index.

This year’s most free state?  It’s a virtual tie…between New Hampshire and South Dakota.  And the least free state?

New York

Lady Liberty, look the other way.  (Oh good, she is.)

Turns out my beloved Empire State got dinged for our particularly high taxes, health insurance regulations, anti-smoking laws, lack of medical marijuana and no same-sex marriage (only one vote away!).

Oh…that.

Jason Sorens, co-author of the study and assistant professor at CUNY Buffalo — who (ahem) lives in New York — admits the state has other benefits.

“New York City has a lot going for it…if you like culture, the arts, music, having lots of things to do, nightlife — you’re going to value having more things to do even if you feel more impinged upon.”

Exactly, Jason.  And the things that may make other people feel ‘impinged upon’ — not being able to smoke in Central Park, for example — don’t make me feel any less free.

That’s the beauty of the USA.  There are 50 different states.  If you don’t like the one you’re in, you can move to one you like better.

Like I did.

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…” Me & Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin

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Posted in Commentary, Education, History, Home, Philosophy, Politics, Travel

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Just breathe

Posted on May 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

For just one day…

…wouldn’t it be nice?

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Posted in Advertising, Commentary, Death, Environment, Health, Life, Love, Philosophy

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