How best to serve those who served? — MC appears in today’s Herald-Tribune

The editors at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune are running a piece of mine in today’s (May 23) paper. It’s a column about my experience working at a veteran’s homeless shelter in Boston. If you pick up a print copy, you can find it on page A12 in the op/ed section.

Or, you can click through on this link and read it at their website: Those who survived but struggle.

If you like — or don’t like — what you see, you can post a comment online at their site or here at mine; or you can write a letter to the editor by clicking on this link: http://www.heraldtribune.com/section/opinion04

Wishing everyone a safe and happy and thoughtful Memorial Day weekend!

MC’s Friday morning musing on romance

I’ve been around too long to believe anymore that a kiss, or that initial first flush of attraction, no matter how much it knocks your socks off, is an indicator of long-term compatibility. I’m old-fashioned enough to believe that attraction – whether short-term lust or long-term love – has to be grounded in shared intellectual, emotional, and social mores. Too driven by logic, I often cast a gimlet eye at what is commonly called romance. And yet … . (more…)

The best damn thing since All the President’s Men

If you do one thing … watch one thing … think about one thing … this Memorial Day weekend … make it worth your while:  watch  State of Play — the BBC miniseries.  It’s the smartest thing you’ll see or hear or think about it in, oh, probably, the last several years, at least.  With no Redford or Hoffman in sight (and certainly no Affleck) — this program gives All the President’s Men a serious run for its money.  And honestly, I think it comes out on top.

I’m serious — if you have even the slightest interest in print journalism — watch State of Play — the BBC miniseries.

You can rent it at Video Renaissance on Bee Ridge in Sarasota; it may be at the library or on Netflix or some such place.  Find it.  Rent it.  Watch it.

Then go out and buy a newspaper.

Small dog, big life … I want me some of that!

Is this NOT the cutest book cover you’ve seen in some time? I’m a sucker for dog books, but I’m even more of a sucker for a dog book that has a typewriter on the cover!

I’ve read the book — it’s very funny. If you know a dog lover, or if you’re one yourself, you should check out this book. It’s barktated to a “writer friend” of mine here in Sarasota — if you end up picking up a copy from Dennis (the writer friend) or Genevieve (his boss who tolerates me once or twice a year for a writerly cup of coffee) — tell them MC sent you!

Tropical Sex Wave

Had a date last night … the guy who was taking me out picked me up in the early evening for my first-time ever experiencing WMNF’s annual fundraiser — Tropical Heatwave held in and around the Cuban Club up there in Tampa/Ybor City.

Trombone Shorty laid down a funk so dunk I was delirious.

So, the guy picks me up in the early evening, and off we go … road trip! (more…)

Obama’s moral compass is askew

In his decision to block the release of photographs showing U.S. troops abusing prisoners, President Obama not only flouts the separation between the executive and the judicial branches, he neatly ignores the moral compass of which he has spoken so highly in the past. (more…)

Tonight … on Florida This Week (Channel 3 WEDU Tampa)

I’m NOT going to be on Florida This Week tonight … sorry! But I will probably be on again in June sometime.

Still, tonight’s show is bound to be fascinating (yes, even without moi!), so curl up in front of your favorite big screen with a glass of vino and tune in. I’m sure they’ll be discussing the ramifications of Governor Crist’s decision to run for Senate and the wicked wide domino effect of open seats that will probably come into play as a result. Should make for an interesting show.

Facing reality? MC Coolidge lands a print gig!

Just when my fingernails were slipping from that freelance-free-for-all precipice, the Creative Loafing newspaper swooped in and offered me a paying gig. It’s just once a month, so basically, it will keep my cats alive … while I’m still diving dumpsters. (more…)

A rose by any other name … is a Coolidge!

Do you love growing roses? I have absolutely no green thumb whatsoever … but my brother, Geoff does. (more…)

SNN LOCAL News … another thing I like about Sarasota news lately

Since I’m in a complimenting frame of mind …

I woke up today and wanted to find out what was going on with Governor Charlie Crist — is he going to the big house or not? (That’s the big Senate house, um, not the other kind of big house.) (more…)