First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Have You Pimped Yourself Out for a Meal?

Surveying the dating/boyfriend history, I can recall two men who I went out with, in large part, because of fine dining. Which is probably a step above wanting to be with someone solely because of his hair. (Been there, done that, too.) Sound familiar?

Image via The Royal Art Lodge

The Swings of Life

Last fall, I bathed in ecstasy, along with other San Francisco Giants fans, as our scrappy team defied the odds to become world champions. It was a glorious feeling. As of today, the first week into a new season, the Giants are in last place. And such is the fleeting nature of good times and as logic dictates, the bad times, too. In other words, this too shall pass. Or so I tell myself.

Image via Dan Witchell

I Have a Dream

Photo: April 4, 1968, balcony of the Lorraine Hotel, after Martin Luther King was assassinated.
By Victor Louw.

Please Don’t Expect Me at Your Baby Shower

How unfair is it that men get off the hook for the baby shower? Are we supposed to assume that women innately like this kind of thing? The last one I attended was over a year ago, but the experience is seared into my memory, and not in a good way. For entertainment, baby food jars were passed around, and we had to guess whether the green stuff was puréed spinach or peas. I came in last place in that “game,” which is really hard for an over achiever. (Scrabble, anyone?) I’ve consulted with the mom-to-be, who admits it’s all about the gifts. So thanks, but no thanks. I’ll be sending my best wishes and present through the mail.

Illustration: Friends, 2010, Antonio Ladrillo

Lesser of 3 Evils

Image: James Castle

Mantra For The Day

Even if you have to fake it.

Poster by Rob Reynolds

Discrimination at the Workplace

A group, representing more than a million women, have joined together to file a class-action suit against Wal-Mart, alleging that the giant retailer discriminated against them with lower wages and fewer promotions. Today, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments to decide whether these women can be considered a “class,” for the purposes of their lawsuit. One woman named as a plaintiff, claims that a Wal-Mart manager told her that if she wanted to advance in the company, she needed to “brush the cobwebs off” and “doll up.”  (Is doll up the opposite of man up?) Have you experienced workplace discrimination?

Image: Sexism3 by Fede Yankelevich, 2010

Spring Fever

How’s your sexual appetite these days? Have you noticed an uptick with the coming of spring? Apparently it’s hormonal. Our bodies are responding to more daylight, with a desire to sleep less and play more. I can’t get focused on dating right now (the precursor for sex), despite it being my New Year’s resolution. (Fail.) But at least I’m appreciating the bouquet of spring, and the gorgeous produce showing up at the market.

Image: Wild Strawberries in a Wan Li Bowl, 1704, Adriaen Coorte

Sunday Night with Mildred Pierce

Todd Haynes, who directed this remake for HBO, is responsible for some of my peak movie experiences (Safe, Far From Heaven). I can’t wait for Sunday nights.

Why Indulging Can Be Good For You

As a kid, I used to get quizzed, weekly, on the news. Which may explain why I can recognize an obscure politician’s voice on the radio, in the same way that others would know a favorite sports figure or movie star. But unlike sports or entertainment, the stakes are really high. That could be the reason that I scream into the TV at pundits, but maybe it has more to do with not eating more chocolate. There’s a study that suggests our rage gets ignited when we deprive ourselves. So maybe it’s time for me to put down the newspaper, and go grab a candy bar.

Image: Barbara Astman from The Newspaper Series. 2006.