If you recognize the title of this post, then you are already familiar with Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess. I had the opportunity to meet her, briefly, at the Barnes & Noble book signing in Annapolis this weekend. She was larger than life and incredibly funny as she adlibbed before reading a selection from her book, Let's Pretend This Never Happened. There followed a Q & A session and then the book signing. She was gracious and profane at the same time which is an incredible coup to pull off. I bought her book and when I had her sign it I related a short anecdote about my daughter, Olivia. I told her that I admire all of her advocacy and I have a cause of my own (quickly assuring her that I was not trying to recruit her to my cause). I just wanted to share with her that Olivia, now 10, has autism and is still mostly non-verbal. She can read out loud however she just doesn't use her vocabulary to communicate. I told her that we read all the time, including her blog. When we get to a word that I don't want her to use like "motherf*cker", I just cover it up and let her know I'll teach her that one later. Jenny responded sincerely when she told me that I had just made her entire day. Anyway, check out her blog at The Bloggess. You'll be glad you did.


Two Replies to Like Mother Teresa, Only Better

Erik Bates | May 22, 2012
[hidden by author request]

Scott Hardie | May 24, 2012
Like Erik, I have enjoyed the blog on occasion when someone sends me a link. I'm glad she turned out to be just as charming in person.


Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Have I Mentioned How Much I Love My Wife?

I got a surprise visit from Amy Austin today. She was passing through Maryland on her way to Florida and took the time to call me from the road. I was thrilled that she thought of me being in the area and invited her to visit for what could only be a brief visit. Go »

First Post

Rather than clog the TC Board with things that mostly interest me exclusively, this seemed a more appropriate avenue. I'll probably post something nearly every day as I'm online daily just surfin' & lookin' for weird stuff. For example, how else would I have ever known of these products if I hadn't seen them using "strange" in a search string? Go »

Stay-cation Week IV

Brenda had a minor medical procedure today so we dropped the girls at Grandma's house for the majority of the day. Got through the procedure and had a nice lunch (just the two of us) at a local restaurant. I had a steak sandwich that was very tasty except it was served on ciabatta bread. Go »

Double Talk with a Forked Tongue

I've decided that from now on, I'm going to answer every question like a presidential candidate. Friend (voter): "Steve, what are you gonna do this weekend?" Me (blahblahblah): "That's a great question and an important one. Go »

Farewell, My Brother

Brenda's brother, Scott, was in a motorcycle accident yesterday and without knowing any details of the accident, I do know that he was killed. I loved him very much and I know he loved me back. I wrote this simple tribute to him that I was forced to end because I couldn't stop crying. Go »

If I Had A Hammer...

I once heard Leonard Nimoy singing this old Pete Seeger tune and it almost gave me epileptic convulsions. It has nothing to do with this link of an amazing artist who works with Hammer and Nails. It's just that whenever I see a hammer or box of nails or even a picture of Karen Carpenter - that's the song that leaps into my head. Go »