Let the birthday commence

Me and Al Breeze, a singer/keyboardist who plays downtown in front of my favorite hangout, Brother's General Store.
(The birthday is Saturday. Send gifts early, and often.)

Now there's a month for everything

From one of my favorite Web sites.
Just so you're aware.

Field guide to the loner: The real insiders

Psychology Today has this interesting article about people who get re-charged by spending most of their time alone. As I get older, I appreciate this more, but overall remain an extrovert--that is, I derive energy from being around other people.
What about you?
There are always extremes, of course. People who never venture out because of various fears and phobias, as well as those who HAVE to be at a party all the time to be satisfied.
It reminds me of a conversation I had many years ago with a Catholic priest. I forget the context but he said: "I'm not shy; I'm private." I get it.

Mammograms: New study

The AP is reporting on a medical panel that says mammograms are done too early. That women shouldn't get them until they're 50 (or before, of course, if you're high-risk). Darn the luck. Last year I turned 40 and this Saturday the big 4-1; and I have Mammogram No. 2 scheduled for December. No one in my family has had breast cancer. The panel said the risk of cancer was too small to start testing most women in their 40s. (And I'd just as soon not get squashed again anytime soon, I'm just sayin.') Then again, I've known women younger than me who have had cancer, and the mammogram was helpful.
So confusing.

Life in the not-so-fast lane

This recent story from the Times highlights tension between two groups of people who run marathons: Those who run them--who actually run and/or race most of the 26 miles, and those who slow it down but eventually finish. (Say, run a mile, walk a mile.) Problem is, with more and more people "doing marathons," race directors have to keep upping the finish times. The story reports that about 20 percent of last year's NY Marathon finished in over 5 hours. The purists say if you do a marathon, you need to do most of it running. The slower bunch say at least they're not sitting on the couch.
What say you?

Zelosport aims for 10,000 games for soldiers

Here's a story I did for today's paper. It's a fun group of games, and for a good cause. Think sophisticated version of paper football.
Author Jill Conner Browne (mentioned in the story) is plugging the charity drive and humorously said: "Give your whole family the finger for Christmas." Awesome.

Maya Angelou speaks to women

A friend just sent me this.
Love it.

"A woman should have"
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour ...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ........
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored ...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself ...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship ...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY ...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect .... but it's over....
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more ....
how to live alone.... even if she doesn't like it ...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally ...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go ...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods ...
when her soul needs soothing ....
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month ... and a year...