Category: Pop Culture

Burns Night

Originally posted January 25th, 2014. *** January 25th is Burns Night. Those inclined toward arson shouldn’t get too excited; it’s actually a holiday that celebrates Scotland’s most renowned poet.  Scotland.org – Burns Night Robert Burns lived just 37 years but in that time is said to have written or revised 559 poems and songs. A […]

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The Teal Pumpkin Project

This Halloween, FARE is encouraging food allergy families to start a new tradition: painting a pumpkin teal and placing it on your porch as a sign to other families managing food allergies that you have non-food treats available at your home. Your teal pumpkin is also a way to raise awareness in your neighborhood about…

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The Tangerine Man

“EEEELLLEeeccccCCHH!! What is THAT?!!” It started one overcast, drizzly day as we were cleaning out the fridge specifically for the use of the Records Division of the police department. Thanks to the benevolence of a coworker and her husband, who worked in the beverage industry, we had acquired a dedicated fridge on our end of […]

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Special Operations

You had me at illuminated manuscripts. Recently I had the pleasure of talking with author Tom Lukas about his first book in a developing series, Special Operations. Standing by his ultra-hip 1972 Volvo p1800e coupe dubbed Spycar, which he’s touring  the country in to promote his series, he offered inside access to a mind always wired for […]

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The World Alternative Games

So what are you doing next month in mid-August? How about a little Gemau Byd Arallddweisol in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales? For years I’ve wanted to host an absolutely ridiculous annual event compromised of guests in random costumes competing in contests of our own creation. Fastest Slip N’Slider covered in Crisco, perhaps, or blindfolded adult tricycle racing. […]

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MAFP Goes Car Shopping

Szzzzzzzz… that was the sound of an egg on a sidewalk on this sizzling summer weekend. The temperature was a sweltering 95 degrees, which is unusual for our meteorologically moderate corner of the Puget Sound. It was on this weekend, without obvious male assistance, that I decided to start car shopping. I’d had quite enough of […]

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The Marinators

As a woman I believe that cosmetics and accessories are meant to enhance our feminine assets, not distort them. Lately I’ve been pondering many of the fads and innovations in “beauty” that can unfortunately make women resemble desperate drag queens rather than touched-up versions of their own selves. I saw a news anchor the other […]

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So Do You Go or Not?!

Uh… okay. I like bizarre holidays but I’m not so sure I’d attend a holiday bizarre, especially at a private residence. (Given that this sign shouldn’t have been affixed to a light pole in the first place and should have been removed about 40 days ago, I’d say it’s fair game.) Recently I was kicking […]

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