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 »

Christmas Tree Shopping

We finally went out and got our Christmas tree. Lauren and I trekked to the local Knights of St. Mickey who offer good trees annually and they're pretty nice folks. Go »

My Favorite Memory

Yesterday, we held the memorial service for my father-in-law. There were approximately 100 people attending and afterward about 1/3 gathered at his home for a small meal and sharing remembrances. I chose to share my memory of the time, twenty years ago, when I asked him for his blessing for my planned proposal to Brenda, his eldest daughter. Go »

Early Valentine Gift

Brenda woke up Saturday morning and said, "I just dreamed that you gave me a beautiful necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?" I told her, "You'll know tonight." Go »

Information, Please...

Shortly after I obtained my driver's license, I got brave enough to travel a longer distance than the liquor store. I headed to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to visit the historic battlefield. I had always been a Civil War nut (short of reenactments) and Antietam I had seen recently (someone else drove). Go »

50501

I just returned from the 50501 (50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement) "No Kings" protest rally in Bowie. This was the second 50501 protest rally that Brenda and I have attended. The first one was in early April and was attended by about 100 people. Go »

Christmas and a Lizard's Tale

One Christmas when Lauren was eight, like a lot of girls her age, wished for a pony. My backyard at the time was about the size of a Volkswagen Minibus. Despite her assurances that she would let it roam the neighborhood for sufficient exercise, I said, “Not this year,” as I pictured myself following the horse with a pooper scooper. Go »