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A Blog Two-fer

This month has been a whirlwind of activity, and trying to fit in a 30-day blog challenge has not been easy. Since I skipped a few days along the way, I am offering you this blog two-fer. I hope you enjoy it.

Part I – Spreading the Blog Love

I have “met” some fantastic bloggers this month. A few are old friends, and others are new to me. Here are my top 5 that I think people should check out and support if they have the time.

  • If you are starting a business, have your own business, or trying to adjust to working from home, Cheryl Ann – https://cherryanncarew.com/blog/ has terrific resources and solid advice for you. This is the first time I’ve seen Cheryl Ann in this challenge, and I’ve learned so much from her. Check her out!
  • If Tamara and I lived in the same part of the world, we would be fast friends. She keeps it real like I do and is passionate about schlepping her kids around to hockey as I am with Andrew and swimming. I’ve enjoyed her take on things. – https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/ 
  • Karen has a friendly and encouraging way of being a cheerleader for your overall health. Her blog today about imposter syndrome was particularly insightful. I’ve enjoyed her posts and started to think that I can make some changes and maybe even be successful. – https://yourpoweryourhealth.com/
  • Victoria has some fascinating stories to share. She’s a medium, and I’m in awe of her ability to help others through their grief. It takes a special person to do that kind of work. Check her out here – https://victoriajuster.com/essays/  
  • Finally, I think everyone should have someone like Kebba in their lives. We’ve never met in person, but she is so sweet to me as if we were old friends. Her encouragement keeps me going through this blog challenge, even on days when I think I have nothing left to say. If you are looking for inspiring quotes, a pick-me-up, or friendly advice about finding the calm in a noisy world, take a look at her blog. – https://kebbabutton.wordpress.com/ 

There are so many other bloggers that I’ve enjoyed reading this month. I wish I could list them all. I am grateful to them for their wisdom, humor, and honesty.

Part II – 10 Random Things About Me

  1. I’m an Aquarius, and I share a birthday with Ed Sheeran, Michael Jordan and Paris Hilton, and my boss.
  2.  I don’t watch a ton of television, but I never miss an episode of This is Us or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I’m also a big Jeopardy fan.
  3. I love everything about coffee – the mugs, the cafes, and the snarky humor that comes from those of us who drink caffeine for your own safety.
  4. I love going to Disney World. We have a timeshare in Orlando that we used to visit when the kids were little. We’ve traded it in for other vacation spots. But now, I’d like to go back and enjoy the parks in a whole new way – as adults looking to connect with the magic again.
  5. I was diagnosed with depression in 2002, and I’m not ashamed of it. Not in the least. I manage it with a low dose of Zoloft and occasional therapy when I feel I need it. I put this on my list because I believe in reducing the stigma of mental illness.
  6. I’m a swim mom. I’ve watched my son swim at summer camp, high school, and our swim club. And sometimes, when they all wear the same swim trunks and caps, I still can’t pick him out and wind up cheering on somebody else’s kid.
  7. I live in the Philly suburbs and love it here. I have a favorite place to go for cheesesteaks. We belong to Longwood Gardens and used to have a membership to the Broadway series downtown. But then, COVID hit, and I haven’t been to a theater since.
  8. I am good at networking, and I quite enjoy it. I know it isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. I usually learn something or have an opportunity to help someone else, and that is always time well spent.
  9.  I love independent bookstores and the people who work there. They are lovely places to explore, buy gifts, or get your next great read. I’m hoping to visit and support 22 indies in 2022.
  10. I have the most amazing husband and children and dog (and life!). 🙂

Seven Podcasts I Never Miss

I avoided listening to podcasts when they first started to become popular. Why? Because I knew if I went down that rabbit hole, I’d find a few podcasts to follow and have FOMO about the ones I didn’t know about yet.

I wasn’t too far off base. I now follow about 20 different podcasts, and I’m always on the hunt for more. Yes, half of them are about books, but the rest are a nice mix of current events, celebrity interviews, and random behind-the-scenes episodes about movies, scandals, etc.

Here is what I’m listening to on any given day.

The Problem with Jon Stewart

I loved The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and when it went off the air, I cried. I’m still shocked that he decided to leave right before the Trump administration began. His voice of reason was what I needed in the early years, and I felt abandoned in my time of need. Thankfully, he has re-emerged and has a new podcast.

Read the show’s title, and you would think the podcast was anti-Jon Stewart. But “the problem” is not with the host; it’s with the rest of the world. He has a lot to weigh in on, and now he can curse whenever he feels like it. Somehow, this gives him the edginess I never knew I needed.

Clear & Vivid with Alan Alda

Who doesn’t love Alan Alda? He brings his warmth, intelligence, empathy, and charm to a podcast about how we communicate with each other. In each episode, he interviews someone fascinating. Sometimes he interviews celebrities like Katie Couric, Kevin Bacon, and Goldie Hawn. They don’t talk much about their latest movie project. Instead, they have honest conversations about their lives, how they navigate their fame and stay grounded. He also talks to scientists about topics like happiness and human behavior. Alan Alda’s interviewing style reminds me of Fresh Air’s host, Terry Gross. He isn’t there to get the dirt on people; he wants to hear your story and learn.

Seriously, I can’t recommend his podcast highly enough.

Pop Culture Preservation Society

I’m just going to list a few episode titles from this podcast. You will quickly know whether or not you will love it as much as I do.

“How Deep Is Your Love For The Bee Gees”

“Looking Through The Eyes of Love”

“I Rank the Songs of Barry Manilow”

“Little GenXers on the Prairie”

Convinced yet? Let me know.

Sounds Like a Cult

Ever wonder how modern-day “cults” we all follow started? This podcast dives deep into the “cults” of LuLaRoe, Celebrity Megachurches, SoulCycle, and more. Another bonus for this podcast, most episodes are only 30 minutes long instead of the entire hour.

You’re Wrong About

Remember the scandals surrounding Tammy Faye Baker and Vanessa Williams? How about some of the most prominent court cases of our lifetimes – The O.J. Simpson trial and The Prom Mom? Get the whole story and not just what you think you know. The journalists on this podcast break it all down in a systematic and fascinating way.

The Readerly Report

I listen to a ridiculous number of podcasts about books and reading. Each podcast name tops the next one with their bookish puns like “Literally Reading,” “Reading Glasses,” and “Novel Gazing.” They are all so good, but The Readerly Report is one of my absolute favorites. It is smart and funny, and there isn’t time for random chitchat because the hosts are so excited about the books they are reading.

What Should I Read Next

This is the other bookish podcast that I love. Hosted by Ann Bogel, the queen bee of the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club is a literary genius. She interviews someone about their reading life and gives them recommendations based on three books they loved, one book they hated, and what they are currently reading. The format is the same every week and never gets old. The reason my TBR list is so long is because of this podcast.

What podcasts do you enjoy? I’m always looking for a new one! Let me know in the comments.

Anti-Oxford Comma

Yes, it’s true. I am anti-oxford comma.

There, I said it.

I feel much better now.

Do you still like me?

Are you going to unfriend me?

Unsubscribe to my blog?

Call my mom and tell on me?

All of the above?

For those unfamiliar with this ongoing debate, this discretionary punctuation mark has caused quite an uproar in writing workshops, high-school English classrooms, and even courtrooms around the country. It is a fight to the death over whether or not a comma needs to precede the last element in a series – like red, white and blue.

Does it make your skin crawl that I didn’t use an Oxford comma just now? I’m sorry. I can’t help it. Baby, I was born this way.

I know I’m in the minority here. Lots of people disagree with me. Even Grammarly is against me. Every mistake it catches in this post is comma-related. Hey! I pay for Grammarly premium. I expect a special setting for comma preferences with my subscription.

Here is the tricky part. As a non-profit communications professional, I am obligated to follow the style guide assigned to me by the powers that be. If they follow the Associated Press (AP) style guide – as many sensible organizations do – AP is much more liberal and doesn’t care whether you use it as long as you pick a side and remain consistent throughout the document. It’s very democratic, and I, for one, am quite pleased with this compromise. There is no judgment. No muss. No fuss. No tracked changes or vetoes from the majority. Everyone is happy.

I mean, really, doesn’t this make sense? Can’t we all just get along?

Unfortunately, the non-profit I currently work for uses the Chicago Manual of Style guide (UGH!), which strictly forbids omitting said (and sad) serial comma. This means that if I want to get paid, I must relinquish my inherent – and practically religious – belief on this issue and acquiesce.

After all, I have two children to put through college. I can be a team player. And I’ll just save my recreational, controversial and reckless anti-oxford comma activities for my blog and someday my book.

Unless I find an editor who is pro-Oxford comma, then we may have a problem.

P.S. – I hope this doesn’t change things between us. I still love you regardless of your punctuation preferences. No matter how misguided they may be. 😉

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