Excellently phrased.

My wife never dreamed of wedding either. Our planning sessions consisted of looking at each other and going, "I don't care. What do you want?" "Doesn't matter to me. What do you want?" back and forth.

The fact you mention "compromise" separates your family member from the target being described, I think. I've known some women who had the wedding planned to the point the groom and his family were accessories and not ones she particularly enjoyed including in her day.

I'm a bit bothered by the overly-broad and not based-on-a-study statement about "men" since I like to think we're above gender-based stereotypes and name-calling here, ladies. If you can hear me from the kitchen.

I have to wear suits to court. I can only afford so many. So I need ones that can be worn year round. I'm not opposed to other colors or textures—I'm just not going to get value from such a purchase.

Hardwick's bowling episodes of Nerdist are always fun, too.

On one hand, I know this, because I want to be part of the solution and not the problem.

I like what you have to say. As an evil straight white male, with beautiful brilliant female archnemesis-slash-wife, I believe we should conspire to bring about our goals. I do hope we can find a sassy black sidekick, though. I've always wanted one.

What's the best resource for someone with a laughably small amount of financial knowledge to learn the lingo of this business? I'm not able to talk to financial professionals well because I don't know an index from a mutual from a bond?

I was in Quebec earlier this year and the bus driver was complaining about his tax rate. When I calculated out what I pay in payroll taxes and medical insurance, I'd actually be coming out ahead in Canada. So the idea of the oppressive taxes is about as true as the mythological lengthy waits to see doctors.

Growing up just on the US side and almost going to U-Ottawa for undergrad, I kick myself pretty much daily I didn't make the jump before I had adult responsibilities and things that tie me here.

Thank you for your story.

Watertown is a complete variable. Native to the area are cows and Carhart-covered hillbillies too busy shooting things to watch tv. However, it is the home of Ft. Drum, which imports sports fans from all over the country, meaning there's not much of a consensus pick for the area.

As someone who gets two CBS feeds, one from Erie and one from Buffalo...yes, yes, yes. Pro Bowling holds more interest than the weekly Bills snoozefest.

Oh, but it is a religion to hear my family. You're not truly Catholic, observant or going to heaven unless you support a specific group of African-American gentleman predominantly raised Baptist but somehow standing in for the trials and tribulations of greatly oppressed white people in today's world.

I'd like the record to show that I've hated Notre Dame since my childhood. It probably correlates to the first time I met a ND fan.

Great article. Makes me want to blow off the day and go home to watch TPIR. Probably the economy would have collapsed if you posted this before 11 eastern time from the mass evacuation.

TBA in WNY. The Bills are probably wondering what game they'll watch, too, before remembering they have one more week before golf weekends.

I think my wife pulled this one on me, now that you point it out.

Excellent piece, Tom. It's important to look at how entrenched this stuff is in our culture, because kids need to be kids...and they don't do that when we're telling them what to play with.