It’s generally accepted that asking a woman if she’s pregnant is a big no-no. For obvious reasons, it’s rude and can make things really embarrassing really fast for everyone involved. So, it’s best if you avoid asking or assuming altogether. That’s a pretty set standard of social interaction. But, I submit it’s time we go a step further and make it as widely known and as widely accepted as rude behavior to ask a woman when she’s going to have children or even if she plans to have children. Apparently, as soon as you get married, everyone expects you to pop out a kid READ MORE

The bio-drama has been a Hollywood staple since the beginning of movies. People love movies about real people and the real things that happened to them. The Academy Awards love them, too. Since 2000, 24 of the Best Actor and Best Actress awards have been won by an actor or actress for their role as a real person.  This trend began with The Great Ziegfeld in 1936 and Hollywood’s homage has continued up to the most recent awards, with Oscar going to the leads in King Richard and The Eyes of Tammy Faye.  It’s not only Hollywood films that esteems READ MORE

So, you’re facing the mammoth task of wedding planning. Not only is that endeavor in and of itself a bear to tackle, but you have the added burden of standards and ideas culture, society, and media have created and imposed upon us. No pressure, it’s just things like your wedding day is supposed to be the best day of your life. And things like what you have to do to avoid bad luck and garner good luck and check all the boxes of tradition and avoiding family drama. And things like including the right people in your wedding party and READ MORE

High school reading lists are the subject of debate, outrage, and, frequently, chagrin. Everyone from teachers to preachers to parents to politicians have strong opinions on what teenagers should or should not be required to read in school. Rather than haggling about titles and content, students want to know two things: There is the occasional dork who devours each assignment with glee. I use ‘dork’ lovingly since I fall under this description. But, for most, high school reading assignments are a teenager’s equivalent to a melatonin supplement with a few titles sprinkled in that are tolerable-to-moderately-enjoyable. I’ve always been a READ MORE

Growing up, diary-keeping is something that always intrigued me. I was inspired whenever I watched movies with a narrator’s voiceover reading excerpts of their journal as scenes transitioned. I loved reading books in the Dear America juvenile historical fiction series. I read Anne Frank’s diary when I was 12, which made it all the more profound since she was not even a year older than me when she began her writings. As a kid, I made several attempts to begin my own journaling habit. I even got a diary with a lock and key as a gift once. But, I READ MORE