City still offering same-sex benefits despite Amendment Two
(This piece ran in the Pelican Press newspaper November 19, 2008.) Despite the success of Amendment Two in the Nov. 4 election, the City of Sarasota is continuing to offer a domestic-partner plan that would provide health insurance benefits, similar to those offered to spouses, to the live-in partners of city employees. The amendment states […]
MC in print in local Pelican Press newspaper
The editors at the Pelican Press — the old stomping grounds for my Reality Chick column — were kind enough to buy an article I freelance wrote on the issue of Amendment Two and the City of Sarasota’s ongoing policy of offering health insurance benefits to employees involved in same-sex relationships. I support what the […]
Animal attraction
I pretty much love anything that walks, swims, paddles, or flies. (Things that crawl? — they’re called creepy crawlies for a reason.) So, I love animals, but what I don’t understand is why I’m so infinitely patient with animals, and so impatient – at least by comparison — with humans?
Must love cats
A few nights ago, I broke my pledge to not go on a date for the rest of 2008 (after a particularly dispiriting dating experience in January). Don’t know why, but I decided to accept an invitation for drinks and so on the night of the full Harvest moon, I took the dating plunge once […]
Redemption Song
After the week I’ve had, this column from July 2006 rings all too-familiar. If you have my book, Sideways in Sarasota, you’ve read it, but hopefully it will be fresh goods for the rest of you. Read it while you’ve got some Bob Marley in the background. Nobody likes to go down for the count. […]
In defense of SCGs
So here’s what I’ve got against strip clubs: They degrade an entire gender. And, I, for one, think men deserve a lot better than to be degraded. I know, you’re out there thinking, ‘Sweetie, men can defend themselves. They don’t have to go to strip clubs. None of us wives or girlfriends are out here […]
Reality … in the age of chickness
This column first appeared in print in October 2007. Chick-ness is in the eye of the beholder, right? That’s all I can say in answer to the deluge (okay, the trickle) of readers who want to know one thing above all else: “How old are ya, Reality Chick?”
MC talks about the writing process on Creative Life radio
If you’re interested in listening to my thoughts on the writing process — and probably lots of other topics as well — tune in next Tuesday, November 11th from 9 to 10 am. I’ll be the guest of Elizabeth Van Riper on her “Creative Life” radio program (WSLR 96.5 FM Sarasota Community Radio).
Of hope and hoops — my letter to Barack
What I want from you, Barack, as my president, is not so terribly different from what I’d want from any man, really. I want a decent man. One who is measured and calm. One who can inspire and uplift. One who keeps his word. A man who knows how to work up a sweat, shoot […]
In bed with the Bard
I just returned from New England where I was fortunate enough to go back to my alma mater and speak to students, faculty, and folks from the community. It was the most intimidating public speaking experience I’ve ever had — because many of these folks were the very ones who taught me how to think […]