Unattended Mailbox

When confronted with a situation where less than stellar news has to be related, I often subscribe to a philosophy of ripping of the bandaid. The quicker you get something off your chest the better. I found this to be a consistent approach of mine, even in my efforts to cope with the recent loss of my father.Although he died suddenly, nothing could have prepared...

Edit Her

So long...so good? That is the question du jour.I have been noticeably absent from readholla.com for the past several weeks, er, months. Paramount to any reasons behind my inactivity, would be the reason for my return, my mom.You must first understand my relationship with my parents to fully understand why.My dad is my best friend. My mom is my number one critic,...

Stranger Things Have Happened

When I was quite little I would always say thank you when automatic doors would open for me. Hey, I may not have fully understood the mechanics of an automatic door yet, but I knew to mind my manners.Establishing that I have a history of going above and beyond when it comes to "door opening etiquette", I find it troubling how often people take this and other...

27 Minutes...

Technology in a word: cool...two words: very cool. Admittedly easy to say as a baby of the '80s.Enter my grandparents...just a couple of kids in their 80s.Although they are not the most tech savvy duo, they have always had cool gadgets. To their benefit, they have a doting granddaughter willing to teach them how to use them.Over the years, I have color-coded...

A Thousand Words...

...give or take for this picture and post.Just because I buy them does not mean that I am a fan of guidebooks. Here is why. Before you even pack your bags, you have likely been saving for several months for that trip to Mexico or Europe or China. There was a reason you chose your destination and you have already mentally arrived there in your daydreams of sipping...

At A Loss..

The imposition of a loss can be many things.The loss of a tooth when you are little means a temporary space in your mouth. Yet, after a visit from the tooth fairy, typically nets a profitable return under a pillow.The loss of a job creates a curious identity struggling to cope with unintended consequences...yet, in time, leads down a new path to self discovery.The...

"It's not what you say...

...it's what you aren't saying."This is one of the best perils of wisdom I can offer.First point to note, this does not refer to body language, although you should always be conscious of someones demeanor, this applies strictly to dialogue.Let's use a scenario everyone over the age of 12 has confronted , a friend queries, "Do I look fat in this?". Our friend...

InsureRants

Health Insurance vs. Health CareHealth care is an issue on everyone's mind. For good reason. It is an emotionally charged topic of concern for anyone that has a pulse.Unfortunately, in this country we do not have a health care system, we have a health insurance system.I would argue that this is the problem with health care in the United States.To illustrate...

I Get So Emotional

Blame it on the BlackBerry or iPhone or laptop...these days the bulk of my conversations take place without uttering a single word.There is a convenience that comes from shooting a quick text, "running a few minutes late" or "send me the address". But sometimes a "happy birthday" text doesn't pack the necessary punch required by such a sentiment.Enter emoticons....

Mash ups and downs

Music is a major component of my life. I would feel more naked without my iPod than clothes.One of my guilty music pleasures for a while now are mash-ups. Mash-ups, referred to by several terms, have existed since music began being recorded. There are mash-ups for everyone. And, when done right, a mash-up transforms music from more than one source into a seemless blend that gets you moving. Check out a snippet of one of my favorites, "Drop...

Must Have Travel Candle

TOKYOMILK No. 18: SparrowOver the years I have contributed far too much money to the candle industry, albeit with pleasure. A candle can set a tone, heighten a mood and, in a pinch, provide emergency lighting.As a long time connoisseur of candles, I am always on the lookout for new finds. On a recent trip to a nearby boutique I came across Sparrow No. 18 By...

Macho Men?

Male Figure SkatingOkay here's the thing...I respect everyone that gets to a place of Olympic status. Slap a medal on that olympian and you got your picture on a Wheaties box...on a side note, do people still eat Wheaties? IDK.I digress.Moving on, I just returned home and am eager to witness the top 3 male figure skaters battle it out for the gold. Because I...

Bond Girl # 9

Bryant ParkI believe in fragrance wardrobes...after all, you don't wear the same clothes everyday, so why wear the same fragrance?That said, I do believe in a signature scent.I have had a passion for perfume since I was tall enough to reach my mother's stash. I used to collect miniature bottles of my favorites...true story, but a step above collecting stamps...

Mean Shoe Game

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTIThe lesson I learned from Cinderella? Someday my prince will come? No.One shoe can change your life? Yes.Sex and the City fans love Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, but if I had to choose a favorite shoe designer, Giuseppe Zanotti gets my vote every time. Giuseppe Zanotti is an artist who knows his craft. With a creative vision like his I would...

It's Our Anniversary

JOBS Promises running on empty?It is worth noting that I will neglect to recognize political party attempts to capitalize on an unprecedented effort to rescue a super power's economic viability. The stimulus was and is an experiment. Though we can hypothesize results only time will dictate a real conclusion. On the one year anniversary of the ARRA, or the stimulus,...