Like Mother Teresa, Only Better
by Steve West on May 22, 2012

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
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 »

Beware Of Delaware
I'm off to vacation in the Eastern Hinterland, the wondrous first state of Delaware. I have friends there we are visiting and will be staying for the weekend. The only advantage to being there are a few Atlantic beaches and of course, tax-free shopping. Go »
So, How Much Has Been Spent Saving Matt Damon?
I calculated the amount of money spent, based on movie budgets, in saving Matt Damon. I only went to 2015 because I got tired. But up to then, here's the money that's been spent. Go »
It's That Time Of Year
Snow time. I don't live in Fargo so I defer to Denise and others for even more horrible snow stories. But the forecast yesterday was for anywhere between 6 and 32 inches of snow depending on a whole bunch of meteorological variables and other mysteries. Go »
Hall Of Fame Ballot Contains No Rockers Or Rollers
Except for the Dave Clark Five, this year's crop of Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame nominees are lacking something: rock-n-roll credibility. I, myself, don't feel as strongly as the sentiments expressed in this article. I'm okay with John Mellencamp being on the ballot - just wouldn't vote for him before Kiss. Go »
Real Baseball
I took the girls to a minor league baseball game last night. It was Autism Awareness night at the Bowie Baysox game which was the incentive for Brenda and I to go. The girls actually enjoyed the game for the first few innings but were more interested in the foods, carousel, moon bounce and face painting. Go »
Erik Bates | May 22, 2012
[hidden by author request]