I loathe grocery shopping

When I was dating, few phrases made me cringe as much as the dreaded We need to talk. Looking back, I didn't hear it all that often, but when I did, I knew that what would insue would likely be a string of events leading to my frustration, confusion and immasculation. Strangely enough, the marital parallel to this has nothing to do with break-ups or strained relationships, yet for me it evokes the same psychological upset. I'm talking about that...

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Employees need written reminder to flush twice

Someone on the maintenance crew where I work has taken to affixing notices to the stalls in the men's bathroom. For several weeks now each of the two stalls has had a posted sign instructing visitors not to leave any waste or paper in the commode and to flush twice when necessary. Apparently some guys still weren't getting the hint because recently we were greeted with a new sign that reads:Gentlemen:Please do not leave paper or waste in the toilets....

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Helium balloons -- gotta love 'em

This morning at work I walked into the break room to find the ceiling covered with helium balloons of assorted colors. I had been summoned there for a one-hour presentation on something that bore absolutely no relevance to my job duties, so instead of paying attention to the presenter I stared up at the balloons. Since childhood I've always liked balloons, helium balloons especially. There's something about the bright colors and squeaky sounds I...

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Hints and tips for naming a baby

Somewhere in the midst of crib buying, nursery painting and gimmie-gimmie gift registering a more pertinent decision has to be made when expecting a baby, namely what to call the kid. My wife, Elaine, and I know from vicarious experience that this name game can be the source of indecision, frustration and sometimes even chastisement from well-meaning friends and family. A name follows a person through life. Pick the wrong name and you subject your kid to a childhood of finger pointing and playground ridicule. A good choice in names paves the way...

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I want to pull out my cowlick

Burning inside me is a strong desire to pull out my cowlick. Looking at me, you probably wouldn't even be able to tell I have a cowlick, but I know it's there. Oh yes, it's there. It stands out ever so slightly, leaning defiantly at an abnormal angle against the other well behaved good little hairs. Like a weed in a rose garden it grows seemingly out of sheer spite, mocking the gardener/groomer who debates whether to prune around it or pull it out...

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Search for interesting blogs yields few results

I recently have begun dedicating a portion of my work day to checking out other people's blogs. This is because until recently I suffered from blogroll envy. You know that sidebar on people's sites where they list the blogs of roughly a quarter of the world's population? Though many people out there have on their sites links to umptine million other bloggers, I only link to a select few. So with the assumption that there must be a slew of enjoyable blogs out there I'm not sharing, and worse yet not reading, I set out on a mission to find them and...

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