It's one of the most famous photographs of all time. V-Jay Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt appeared in Life magazine a week after Japan surrendered in 1945. The black and white picture shows a young sailor passionately — and spontaneously — kissing a nurse. The contrast between the dark and light of their uniforms, as well as the way their bodies curve together and around each other has led some skeptics over the years to ask whether the scene was staged. In the decades since the war ended, multiple men and women have come forward claiming to be the subjects.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Kissing an Icon Good-Bye
It's one of the most famous photographs of all time. V-Jay Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt appeared in Life magazine a week after Japan surrendered in 1945. The black and white picture shows a young sailor passionately — and spontaneously — kissing a nurse. The contrast between the dark and light of their uniforms, as well as the way their bodies curve together and around each other has led some skeptics over the years to ask whether the scene was staged. In the decades since the war ended, multiple men and women have come forward claiming to be the subjects.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Radio Gaga
In 1983, Pat Benetar warned that "Love is a Battlefield." In our family, battles often happen on roadtrips because each of our cars only has — gasp — one radio.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dr. Jekyll and Miss Hyde
I only have one child. But in essence, I have two different daughters.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Letting Go at 30,000 Feet
Last week, we packed our bags and left New England's never ending winter for the perpetual summer of central Florida. My daughter's middle school had Spring Break, and we were eager to take advantage of it. (My in-laws have a 2-bedroom bungalow right on Sarasota Bay, and, to be honest, we were eager to take advantage of it as well.)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Allure of the Other Mother
When did it happen? When did I lose my cool?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Pass the Popcorn: Tangled
About ten years ago, when my daughter was finally old enough to go to the movies, I took her to see Monsters, Inc. We bought a nice bucket of popcorn and some bottled water, and we smuggled in some M&Ms. We settled into out seats and I remember being excited to experience her first big-girl, big-screen movie together.
Friday, April 8, 2011
OMG! WTF? TTYL
Reader, I fought the good fight. In my heart of hearts, I sincerely do believe in the value of grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization. I love a thick book; I revel in a well-turned phrase. I have resisted change with every fiber of my learned and literate being. But, I give up.
ayt = are you there?
b = be
b4 = before
bbfn = bye bye for now
bbl = be back later
bcuz = because
bf = boyfriend
bffs = best friends forever
c = see
da = the
d8 = date
dnt = don’t
dznt = doesn’t
eva = ever
g2g = got to go
gf = girlfriend
hw = homework
im = I am
lol = laughing out loud
lmao = laughing my ass off
lmfao = laughing my f*cking ass off
mos = mom over shoulder
np = no problem
nvr = never
nw = no way
omg = oh my God
p911 = parent alert
pal = parents are listening
plz = please
pos = parent over shoulder
ppl = people
r = are
rite = right/write
skewl = school
sry = sorry
sum1 = someone
sup = what's up?
tmi = too much information
ttfn = ta ta for now
ttyl = talk to you later
ur = your, you are
w8 = wait
wb = write back
w/e = whatever
wtf = what the f*ck!
y = why?
It pains me to report that OMG and LOL were recently added to the Oxford English Dictionary. So, clearly, there's no going back now. But, maybe that's all right. After all, languages are fluid phenomena; they evolve with the issues of the times and as civilization's thought leaders add new words. (Just ask Shakespeare ... or Sarah Palin.)
In that spirit, I'd like to suggest adding a few tween momisms to the language of text talk:
dyhw = do your homework
gopc = get off the computer
waj = wear a jacket
gocp = get off the cell phone
cyr = clean your room
2mm = too much makeup
And my favorite ...
biss = because I said so
That's all for now. I encourage you to study this list; I'm going to test you later. But, don't worry ... spelling won't be counted. bb4n
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Teenaged ... and Knocked Up?
I know I have a lot of family and friends who read "Lovin' the Alien," so let me quickly reassure you ...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Orange Food
There's something strange about the first time your child goes away without you. Whether it's skiing for a weekend with another family, an overnight trip with a Brownie troop, or — as in our case — a getaway to a New Hampshire lake house with a beloved aunt. It makes you wonder. What will she see? Who will she meet? Is she staying up too late? Waking up too early? Brushing her teeth?