So I took a sabbatical from Open Salon. Thirteen months. This was back to back with a previous multi-month sabbatical. So it's been awhile. A lot of familiar names still abound these parts, but the place has sure changed in that time. Not for the better. Not for the worse.… Read full post »

We all continue to struggle under the boot of the George W. Bush economy. Nonprofits are included.

The ones that survive have needed to find creative ways to raise funds. Now, they're locking people in cages for our viewing enjoyment.

Inside a "cage" is Ben. Ben works for Bedlam… Read full post »

About 8:30 this morning, the whole family went to the polling place for Ward 9, Precinct 1 of Minneapolis.  The two kids sat with us and watched us fill out our ballots.  The seven year old got a kick out of me writing in a neighbor's name in the uncontested sheriff's… Read full post »

Conventional wisdom holds that people who grow up chubby or overweight, but lose the pounds in adulthood, still have "fat kid complex."  The idea, as understand it, is that adults who get in shape and lose weight still see themselves as the "fat" person they were for years in terms of… Read full post »

My name is Skeptic Turtle and I'm a prude.

Everybody please say it together: "Hi, Skeptic."

Thanks. Hi. Yes. I admit it. Growing up Catholic must have been part of it. My folks were pretty open minded, but then again my mother would mutter about men with long hair needed to… Read full post »

A repost from the past.  One of my personal favorites.  

June 5, 2008 - Way back in the beta days...

Earlier this spring, my daughter told me about a disagreement she had with a friend at school.  The kids were apparently doing some typical family role playing game (they som… Read full post »

I always knew I wanted kids.  Two, to be exact.  At least I think I always felt that way.  I'm told that I once said to my mom that I'd never get married and have kids, but I was probably just trying to annoy her.

Shortly after I was married I… Read full post »

When I was in middle school I read a survey that most of my peers wanted to live within 50 miles of where they grew up.  This surprised me.  Didn't they want to escape just like me?

I did my own survey of my friends.  Every single one wanted to stay… Read full post »

Out of work. Quit the stupid job.

Now home with kids. They’re stupid only on occasion.

In time for spring. Yard needs tending.  House needs tending.  Better replace a couple of those windows I’ve been meaning too.

Off to Home… Read full post »

 

My six year old lost her third tooth this spring.  She pulled it out before breakfast after I told her that her friend had that very same tooth accidentally kicked out by a brother the night before.  (It had been loose.) My daughter… Read full post »

Didn't your parents ever teach you not to call people names?

Sure, I feel the same way about people too sometimes.  Sometimes, I'll even say it out loud.  Like, "I got cut off on the highway by a total dick."

But regardless of its accuracy, directing name-calling insults squarely at the… Read full post »

Nearly a year and a half ago I got into one of my most heated Open Salon discussions, chiefly with the wise Ben Sen.  We were arguing over the importance of religions symbols, creating religious and atheist movements, and whether proseltyzing was justified.  I said I would write another pos… Read full post »

I suppose it was our own fault to be limited by the whims of PBS...

Due to longstanding policy set down by the missus, we do not get cable.  At times, I’ve advocated for cable TV, but in the end I’m too cheap myself.… Read full post »

Kellylark wrote about some of her favorite Open Salon writers fading away.  Sometimes with--and sometimes without--explanation.

She mentioned Caveat Canem Croceum and Caruso Wegie in particular.  I miss them too. They were great.

I was very present in Open Salon in year one, and thes are s… Read full post »

In a story about sugar in kids' cereals, my local television news program showed something that would horrify many parents, particularly this time of year.

Was it the amount of sugar found in a single serving of Lucky Charms? Was it about a new holiday, Smurf-themed cereal that all kids demand… Read full post »

Why do people leave their car running unoccupied in order to keep it heated when its 50 degrees outside?

Why do half of children's movies involve a parent dying?  From Bambi, to the Land Before Time, to Finding Nemo...

Why do people think pot is such a greater… Read full post »

Aspiring writers!  Wannabe bloggers!

Everyone wishes for the same thing: To earn enough money to quit that dreaded day job and become a full-time, successful member of the creative class.

So how do you do it?

Hint: It's not  by asking for tips that requires potential tippers to jump through… Read full post »

UPDATED IV: Because I filed a BBB complaint, I've been shuffled to a BBB case manager and out of the hands of the previous Sears customer care person with whom I was working.  This happened just before he was able to credit back my account with the promised discount.  So… Read full post »

I know I may be late on this.

I've been reading Salon.com just every couple of days in the last couple of weeks with the new Beta version of Salon.com .  For some reason, I got signed out of my Salon Premium account, and was dealing with the stupendous number of… Read full post »

ADVENTURES IN EDUCATION

Teachers are heros.  Most of them are truly devoted to our kids' social and academic growth.  Teachers are not compensated anywhere near where they should be.  (Full disclosure: Both my parents are retired elementary school teachers.)

Yet there are alway… Read full post »

"You know what I think needs to happen on Open Salon to make my experience richer and without frustration?"

"Do I care?"

"They need to make it possible for individuals to block certain annoying people."

"You mean kick them off the site?"

"No. No.  I just want to personally filter out… Read full post »

I can't been the only person in the country who woke to the announcement from the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee this morning and thought, "What the fuck? Am I dreaming?"

In fact, I'm willing to wager Barack Obama himself had a similar response when he received the… Read full post »

Ten years ago we were alone in a car, driving back to Northfield from Decorah.

Ten years ago we were young.  It is embarrassing to recall how young we once were.

Ten years ago we had it all figured out.  We were confident in our prescriptions for the world… Read full post »

Why do we remember some things so clearly and let mounds of other experiences pass through our minds?

I recall my earliest memory with clarity.  It was my birthday.  I was turning three years old.  My brother was just over a week old and my wonderful mom baked a… Read full post »

I wrote about my September 11, 2001 on last year's 7th anniversary.  I can't compare my story to those who suffered terrible tragedies on that day.  But that day did have an impact on my life, as it did for most of us.

• My September 11, 2001: Part 1
… Read full post »