In today's NY Times, Nicolas Kristof, a columnist whom I greatly admire, wrote a piece that I cannot respect: he argues that Bruce Jenner's very public transformational journey makes him a hero deserving of our respect. I think not. Before I go any further, let me get this out of the way right Continue Reading
In Defense of Matt Lauer
Yesterday's keruffle over Matt Lauer's dubious line of questioning with Mary Barra, the first female CEO of automotive giant GM, on the Today Show gave Lauer haters new fuel. (In a nutshell, he asked Barra if she thought she could be both a good CEO and a good Mom. You know, just like he always Continue Reading
Forget Football: Go Drama Geeks!
One Mom's rant against the deification of sports. Raise your hand if you think the best thing about this past weekend’s Super Bowl was Bruno Mars. Now raise your hand if your school has pep rallies, cheer leaders, and neighborhood celebrations for the school band, or the drama club, or the Continue Reading
Why I Didn’t Like How Glee Said #FarewellFinn
First, let me be clear: I am saddened by the death of Cory Monteith. I feel for his family, for his friends, cast-mates, and of course his girlfriend, Lea Michelle. I think it's sad any time a young person dies unnecessarily. And it's especially sad when that person had so much talent, and Continue Reading
WeinerSpitzle
Hello, my name is Ashley, and I'll be your server this evening. This summer, our chef has a season long special: WeinerSpitzle. WeinerSpitzle is an only in NY combination of hubris, stupidity, perversion, and blatant disregard for the law. We take a little bit of working class Continue Reading
The Hypocrisy of Hating the new Merida
In world where more than 80% of ten year old girls admit to having been on a diet, it behooves us to pay attention to the messages we send little girls about their bodies. So it is not without much thought and consideration that I say that I find the hysteria over Disney's new iteration of their Continue Reading
Social Media, Sexual Assault, and Today’s Teens and Tweens
That social media and sex are intertwined is no surprise. What is surprising is how social media has become a weapon in sexual assaults of kids, tweens, and teens. In Steubenville, Ohio, and in Torrington CT, and who knows how many other unreported places, social media is being used both during and Continue Reading
Proud to be a Digital Housewife
Sheryl Sandberg wants us to Lean In. Marissa Meyer wants us to come in (to the office, that is.). New York Magazine wants to reignite the Mommy Wars by re-branding them as being between those who lean out and those who lean in. But the truth is, the distinction between leaning out or in, working in Continue Reading
Why I’m Not Watching Any More Newtown TV News Coverage
Twenty children are dead. Twenty. It is beyond imagining that someone could do this. It is beyond understanding how these families, the Newtown CT community, will make it through. Like so many others, I have been glued to the TV. What, exactly, happened? Who was this mass murderer? Why did it Continue Reading
Fatal Stabbings in NYC: How The Media Coverage Victimizes the Victims
Yesterday evening, two children from my neighborhood were fatally stabbed, allegedly by their Nanny, who then appeared to try to take her own life. It is a horrific story. Beyond imaginings. To talk about how upsetting it is -- well, what is there to say? So I won't talk about that beyond saying Continue Reading