The Woes of the Wealthy

In these days of furloughs, layoffs and foreclosures, the wealthy are simply feeling too guilty to buy luxury items.

Awww, sniffle-sniffle.

Somehow I'm just not feeling the sympathy here that these folks might feel they deserve. Now get out there, Bloomberg, and buy a damn Ferrari.

Barking at the Ball Park

This weekend was all about the great outdoors. Good thing, too, because Monday was all about rain showers and gloomy skies.

We golfed with some friends at the lovely and eclectic Sherman Hills Golf Club in Brookesville on Saturday (well, only 14 holes since the sunset put a damper on finishing up things!)

We'd only played the course one other time a year or two back and I'm really not sure why we had never returned. Terrific course - greens are in great shape and the variety from hole to hole is such a refreshing departure from most courses. But best of all, it's a steal. $15 after 3pm. You just can't beat that.

But on Sunday, it was time for Dexter, our chiweenie, to get into the mix... The three of us packed up the car and headed to Clearwater for Bark in the Ballpark at BrightHouse Field to benefit the Humane Society of Pinellas.

We saw doggies big and small and enjoyed a game between Phillies and Yankees minor league teams, Clearwater Threshers and Tampa Bay Yankees respectively. Clearwater won, BTW - yea! As a Red Sox fan, it's just common practice to root against anything New York Yankees related.

A little walking, a lot of sunburn but mucho fun, as well, and all for a good cause...though I could have done without the annoying heckler (yes, the game really did come with its own amateur Yankees heckler and a fairly pathetic one at that).

Next Bark in the Ballpark events there are being held later this summer. Go to the Clearwater Threshers site for details. I strongly encourage bringing the pooch for some quality paw-shaking and tail-wagging social time but be sure to equip yourselves with plenty of water and sunblock.

Ciao for now!

Still Celebrating Tampa Women in Business

I'm venturing out again into new territory. Of course I've done the blogging thing before, and as usual, it's by no means a big money-generating venture. But that's okay, because for me, this blog is more about the mission: inspiring, empowering and connecting women of the local business community.

I'm still pursuing freelance writing work (so if you know of anyone, pass along my info!) as well as that ultimate next dream job, but I'm channeling my skirty! energy and positive vibes into this new regular feature column of mine as Tampa Women's Business Examiner. I've already posted my first entry letting visitors know what to expect.

So be sure to bookmark me and come back regularly because I plan to introduce visitors to local women in business and provide inspirational examples of what can be done if you put your mind (and energy!) in motion. I'll be sharing valuable marketing advice and info about upcoming opportunities to network, support other women-led businesses and help out Bay area women and families by giving back.

Hope you'll stop by and stay awhile!

Women Can Do Everything, So Will We? Cokie Roberts Rings In

Just returned from a wonderful luncheon at the Tampa Convention Center hosted by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with WUSF Public Broadcasting (and ticket courtesy of a terrific artist who appeared in skirt! Tampa Bay magazine last July - thanks, Katy!)

And as always, what I love most about these networking events, I got the chance to interact with some very interesting people at my table (happy to meet you, Lonnie and Michelle ~ nice talking with you, Doug!) but the reason for all of this hub-bub, the day's guest speaker, author and Emmy-winning journalist, Cokie Roberts.

She spoke about the victories and disappointments women have experienced on the path to achieve equality in politics, business and society in general. She's recently updated and re-released her book We Are Our Mother's Daughters, celebrating its 10th anniversary, updated to reflect recent events including last fall's presidential election and in particular, sexism's role in the treatment of Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin respectively. (She took some questions about this and other subjects and signed books following the luncheon.)

One person in the audience brought up an observation which Roberts concurred with - a mixed reaction to younger women's lack of knowledge about or respect for women's earlier struggles for equality - happy because gender becoming a non-issue should be the ultimate goal (young girls shouldn't pause at the thought of going into fire rescue or running for President because they don't feel they can fill the role...they should feel confident that they can be anything, anybody). At the same time, there's some anger and disappointment that younger generations of women might not appreciate what pain and danger other women before them experienced to help society evolve or to spur what progress HAS been made.

I must admit, that while I'm in no way the young woman I know they refer to, even as an almost-forty-year-old, I will say that I never felt that I couldn't do something because of my gender. I've never felt bound by my chromosomes or restricted in any way other than by my capabilities or economic situation.

I truly believe that it's more than our neighbors that influence this. It starts at home. Though my dad for much of my childhood was the primary breadwinner, as I became a teenager, my parents owned a business together and it was great for me to see Mom in a different role beyond caretaker or homemaker. My father also has been one of the most supportive men I know - besides my husband, of course! - and always communicated to me how smart he thought I was and how much he believed in me. Still does. (Yep, that's me below in my favorite empowering purple dress.)

I'm so lucky to have him as a dad and I really believe that his confidence in me (and of course Mom's, too) has provided that extra boost I needed to take chances sometimes when maybe my more conservative, logical side would otherwise tell me to stick with the safer route.

I'd love to hear from other women out there reading this. Can you think back to a time where you really stepped back and thought or even said to yourself, 'I can't do that because I'm a woman?' If so, tell me about it. If not, why do you think that thought hasn't entered your head?

Dads, would love to hear from you, too, especially if you have daughters of your own.

What I Learned on Daytime TV This Morning

Interesting day so far. I've had quite a few sedentary tasks this morning. Installing some apps on the new laptop, folding some laundry and sewing on a few buttons (such the Martha Stewart this morning, I know). So what better way to entertain myself while chugging along and sipping on the java, than some morning TV?

Here's some wisdom I picked up from Wednesday's morning TV entertainment smorgasbord:


* Bedbugs are infiltrating the nation's hotel industry. There's even a national summit planned in D.C. to discuss the epidemic!

* NBC's "Today" is giving away their tenth free wedding extravaganza and AMAZINGLY all 9 of the first lucky couples are still married and apparently doing well. (Maybe the show has tapped into the secret to wedded bliss - let someone else arrange and pay for your wedding!!)

* "Live with Regis & Kelly" substitute co-host Mark Consuelos does a mean Simon Cowell impersonation, but wife and show host Kelly Ripa does an even better incoherent Paula Abdul.

* Barbara Walters of "The View" has a radio show on Sirius every Monday at 6pm. Oh wait, I learn this every time Barbara makes an appearance on the show. And her book is now available in paperback. (She'll be sure to mention this some time this hour, too.)

* And 90210 alum Tori Spelling says she's just a woman like everybody else (just don't compare her to mama). Oh, and she's not withering away to 98 pounds as the tabloids are reporting. She must have at least 102 pounds on her.


Aah, the lessons of life as told by perky morning TV hosts and the latest tabloid news pubs and sites. Now, I can get to work!

Michelle's Message: Do More!

Have you had a chance to check out First Lady Michelle Obama's essay at USAToday? In it, she encourages young people among us to follow a path of volunteerism and service, not to beef up college applications or score brownie points with recruiters but because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

I have to admit. I've never been a big volunteer. While I knew some kids growing up who did get involved in community fundraising and civic clubs at an early age, I don't think my generation (what are we - X, Y or Z?) really focused on other people as much as some of the generations to follow.

People always say that fashion hits cycles and much the same way I equate a generation's generosity of time and money. I've always felt the generation that followed me had much more of a conscience globally - with regard to human rights, the environment and philanthropy. To me, that generation reminds me more of the activism of the 60s, and I suppose my generation touches on the complacency of the 50s. Sad but true. We did after all grow up in the Reagan era - big stock ups (and downs), an age of do-it-to-him-before-he-does-it-to-you and definitely not an era focused on reaching out to those in need. In fact, when efforts were made to campaign for peace or change, it was successful on a broad scale (like We Are the World or Comic Relief) but it always seemed the exception not the rule.

But that's the past. I'm living in the future I only dreamt about as a teenager lost in Molly Ringwald films and Duran Duran vinyl. Obama's message should touch all of us, not just the young people she hopes to reach but those of us who've always WANTED to make a difference but haven't yet extended ourselves to do so.

It's time for all of us to stretch a little bit. Yep, me included.

It's time to leave the comfort zone. It's a whole new world.

Remembering One of Baseball's Great Voices

Deepest sympathies go out to our community's own Tampa Bay Rays sports analyst Todd Kalas on the loss of his father, iconic sports announcer and Hall of Famer Harry Kalas.

He was a true legend and will be sorely missed. The game just won't be the same without him.

Caught in the Act

If you haven't heard this story yet, you've got to stop to read this one.

A woman decides to leave her webcam running to monitor her home but hadn't actually checked it in months. Something prompts her to check the web cam from work and lo and behold, she catches burglars in progress at her home!

Click here to see the actual webcam footage!

Not only does she catch them in the act and call 9-1-1 who then alerts the police which surrounds the home and arrests them. But it turns out that one of the culprits is her neighbor's son (gulp...yikes) and there is another burglary going on right down the street, which he and his misguided buddies know about, so they proceed to "rat out" the other young criminals taking care of business at the other home. Two burglaries foiled in an instant. Presto!

All because of ONE webcam and a woman's intuition.

Sigh. Women rule. And technology's a pretty groovy thing, too.

Bawk! Bawk!

Aah yes, Easter.

Easter baskets, colorfully dyed eggs, chocolate bunnies. Oh yes, and then I seem to recall some sort of religious connection...but the creamy Cadbury Eggs...mmm! The smooth, peanut-buttery Reese's "eggs"... heavenly! Oh and the Peeps! Ohmigosh, the peeps!

Today I will have a religious experience of my own and indulge in the sweetness that is Easter. Please click and enjoy this humble offering of an Easter classic.

Frugal Fashion?

I knew that this big news will particularly excite some of my more fashion-conscious friends. And especially the Sex and the City fans among them. Now, I'll admit style to me means whether you match your colors or not. Admittedly, I'm not a follower of the latest fashion trends or designers. I'd prefer to follow the Tampa Bay Rays.

But... I'm all about common sense and if someone has found a way to appeal to people's love for fashion while respecting their need to be kind to their bank accounts, I think this is especially important to share with others.

Actress Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) has unveiled a new line of inexpensive but fashionable clothing to be available at Belk stores. Apparently, the line's got everybody talking.

Check it out here and see what you think! Is there enough bang for the buck?

Tiger, Tiger, We Need You!

Are you following? If you had told me ten years ago that I'd not only be watching golf on TV but enjoying it as well, I would have laughed in your face.

My hubby and I "found" golf the same way many religious peeps discover their higher calling in early 2007 and we've been hooked ever since. Granted, we're not that great and we don't get to hit the links quite as much as we'd like given the cost at this time of year and the fact that, well, we are currently a one-income household (not to mention, we're frugal folks, too!)

Currently, Americans Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry are tops on the leaderboard (I know, I know, for many of us - who??), but not to worry Tiger Woods is tied for 19th. Only a player like Tiger can stalk the leaderboard and move from 19th to 1st in just two days, so don't discount him yet.

I can't remember the last time a player has captured my attention for any sport as much as Tiger(and this household takes its sports quite seriously). I suppose I feel the same awe and inspiration that cycling fans feel when Lance Armstrong rounds a bend.

We'll be watching, Tiger, and waiting for you to make your big move.

Billy Bob Goes Bonkers

Have you heard about the latest celebrity meltdown? This time, it's Billy Bob Thornton attempting to "promote" his band the Boxmasters on a Canadian radio station and it's in no way a manic, violent cyclone of obscenities in the tradition of Christian Bale or Michael Cera (of Juno and Superbad) but still memorable and hilarious in its own way. Kudos to FilmDrunk for this great find!

Disclaimer: I'm a huge fan of Billy Bob, the actor and screenwriter (though according to this video, he might not be too happy that I called him either of those things). Sling Blade is just about one of my favorite movies in recent decades. But as a musician, he's never knocked my socks off. Still, it's another demonstration of a star tantrum that is far beyond the scope of any sense of reality. (Is it me or is this radio host unbelievably patient and polite? I would not have made it this far without losing it.)

Billy Bob, get over yourself.

Scott's No Survivor On Idol

It's never a good idea to sing a song about anything being over. But with just 6 weeks to go in the competition, the journey for American Idol's first ever blind finalist Scott MacIntyre came to an end on last night's show.


Host Ryan Seacrest announced that both he and fellow Idol contender Anoop Desai were in the bottom two, separated by only 30,000 votes.

After performing Survivor's "The Search Is Over" for a second time for the judges (much better than the night before, I might add!), it was Simon Cowell who after the group's supposed serious deliberation broke the bad news to Scott.

Question for you Idol fans out there: does anyone really believe that every week there's at least ONE person for whom they're seriously considering using the judges' veto? Or does anyone theorize like me that it's just a gimmick and that on the the absolutely last week they can use the veto, the judges will show their great empathy and "save" whoEVER is going home that week? That's my take. Unless of course, Adam ends up bottom of the list next week, in which case, we might see them whip out a save earlier than planned.

Oh and for all of you YOUNG Idol fans out there, you can hear Scott's song choice on Vital Signs by Survivor. I know because I have the vinyl. Yep, vinyl. (Oops. My age is showing.)

Mad World Mesmerizes - Times Three!

Everybody's talking about Adam Lambert's amazing performance on last night's American Idol of "Mad World" attributed to both Tears for Fears (original) and Gary Jules (cover more closely resembling Adam's take). To save you a little footwork, here are those videos to compare.

Original by Tears for Fears

The Gary Jules arrangement used in Donnie Darko.

And finally, Adam's awesome performance (not seen by many, thanks to Idol running late and the magic and frustration of DVR recording). Pardon the whole intro but it's the only version that hasn't been removed by FOX from YouTube yet - see it while you can! Quickly!!

Which do you like best? I have to say as a Tears for Fears fan myself, I really didn't remember this song by them. And I even possess a best of CD but it wasn't included. Interesting.

The Ultimate Spreadsheet

Who would have guessed that a creative project could translate into the world of Excel? It's all the talk in media circles and one of the most downloaded files in recent months.

Is it really possible to take an artistic entity and structure it in such a way, breaking it down into columns and cells? Would we ever think of building a table to dissect the elements of a Rembrandt or lyrics of a John Lennon masterpiece? Then again, every object is made up of parts and in the great immortal words of that 80s Wendy's classic, parts is parts.

Join the next 10,000 to check it out for yourself by clicking here.

Now You See It, Now You Don't

The wonders of PhotoShop never cease to amaze me. Have you heard the latest? Oh the travesty of having female cabinet members appear in a group shot.

Oh wait, there's one way to fix that. Remove them from the shot. Voila!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Seems like Israel's figured out a way to sneakily alter the state of affairs. Oh wait, they forgot about something: the rest of the world watching them! DOH!

When One Door Closes, Another House Opens

Well, well, well. The story about actor Kal Penn continues...

Apparently, his departure couldn't have come at a more convenient time. His next assignment will be for a different house - the White House!

Good for him!

A Character Exits and a Long Lost Blogger Returns

So much time has passed since my last blog entry but I live to blog another day! A lot has changed. I experienced much joy and success on the job with skirt! Tampa Bay but alas, the publication was a casualty of cost-cutting and with it, so was I.

But that was a week ago, and already I'm doing my best to get the word out to the masses that I'm a woman of many words and want to share them. SOMEWHERE!

I didn't catch it last night but saw the final moments of this week's House. I was so surprised about it though I had heard a blind entertainment tidbit that hinted at a major TV character's upcoming suicide. I used to be a faithful viewer until the last few seasons when it dumped most of its regular supporting cast, so I dumped the show. Yet each time I check in, I always find it fascinating and wonder why I'm not watching anymore. Hugh Laurie is simply incredible.

Apparently, last night's episode is the big talk on TV boards today. So what did you think of the big surprise twist? Did it seem out of character to you?