Missing

by June 29, 2012 » Add more comments.
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My mother died 25 years ago yesterday, when she was 62. I realized this fact sometime last night, and it astounds me. First I was astounded because I remembered how, at the time, I thought that she was appropriately old enough when she died (whatever that means—another thing I now Read more »

‘Content Rules’: Now in Paperback… With Pictures!

by May 14, 2012 » Add more comments.
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It’s a cloudy Monday morning in Boston. But here at my house it’s all sunshine and happy-hour and puppy-dog tails, with the unboxing of the brand-spankin’-new, revised-and-updated paperback edition of Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business! Read more »

Just A Dog

by July 5, 2011 » Add more comments.
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I’ve been in a tough place this week; like my skin is thin as tissue paper, and it bleeds raw at the slightest chafe. Yesterday the imbecile at the college financial aid office started arguing with me when I called to inquire about a billing issue. She thought I was Read more »

Same-Sex Discount

by April 23, 2011 » Add more comments.
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We are standing in line at Westminster Abbey, waiting to pay the admission fee. Up ahead, the cashier is housed behind glass in the entry vestibule, which is a small area with a cold, stone floor. It’s chilly and damp outside and much the same inside; when we finally slip Read more »

How to Feed a Fussy Little Dog: Chile’s List of Requirements

by April 2, 2011 » Add more comments.
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1. Preference to remain someplace safe — lurking in the shadows, under a bed — while the other dogs (“idiots”) chaotically dance around and drool at the ping of kibble hitting the bowl. Rationale: You can get stepped on, drooled on, or accidentally eaten when Maisy mistakes you for a Read more »

What We Carry

by January 16, 2011 » Add more comments.
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He’s freighted with two pairs of shoes, extra clothes that didn’t fit in the duffel, three sketchbooks, a camera, drawing pencils, a couple of books, a rent deposit for next fall, and film in a protective lead case. My arms are empty, but I’m carrying an uncontainable Read more »

The College Drop-off: Can We Cut the Crying Parents Some Slack?

by September 6, 2010 » Add more comments.
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A story on MSNBC yesterday asked, Has the college sendoff always been so tough? Alongside the piece is a video from the Today show, subtitled, “As NBC’s Kevin Klein reports, when it comes time to say goodbye on campus, it’s the parents who’ve got issues.” I’ve noticed an abundance Read more »