Long, long ago, BRAVO was not all about Housewives, but a source of fine cultural programming. They regularly showed films by Kurasawa and other classic Japanese directors, odd bits of British stage work, dance performances. The best part was the wit with which the "Bravo!" bug was displayed — generally, it seemed,…

When I moved back to California after a lifetime on the East Coast, I decided that I would be able to tell I had acclimated when I could say "dude" and not have it sound like a translation. I am an old woman and I say "dude" all the time. Like a real native.

My otherwise crappy ex held my knee in just the right place as I gave birth lying on my side. He was perfect, just that once. And enormously squeamish, in general. DefCon 0 for certain.

Before you deliver, ask them to check you for Ehlers-Danlos. It can cause the "extremely flexible" and it can have some fun effects on delivery. Speaking from experience.

Or your bladder.

What I have been telling people who get all pink on Facebook and the like is to look for local organizations that provide financial and other support to breast cancer patients. I knew people in my support group who were kept off the street and able to continue treatment because of (comparatively) small amounts that…

Nice to think that being raped does not do the physical damage that being beaten does, but 1) they are frequently combined, 2) rape can and does tear internal organs to the point of the victim requiring surgical repair. And that is not just in younger or smaller women.

There are people in senior management at NSF and elsewhere who saw this coming and did the back-end work to keep as many people working as possible, especially those for whom the shutdown would cause a serious financial crisis.

The cut is just wrong for her shoulders. She has broad shoulders and this just makes them look huge and doughy. I am broad shouldered and never consider that cut of top.

Try Cerave — it actually works. I have had eczema and seborrhea my whole damned life. I use pine tar shampoo then the moisturizer. It has mild antifungals and things to calm the eczema without the skin thinning nastiness of the cortisone creams. NO INFECTIONS since I started using it. Folk have actually exclaimed over…

Have you tried Cerave? It is inexpensive (as these things go) and at Costco and Walgreens and really takes care of the flaky stuff. New allergist took one look at my face and arms and said "use this." It is for things like eczema and other things that make one flaky. Not scented. Not greasy.

Hi, RLT_LA. Old Mawrtyr here. I like the fact that there are Smithies expressing concern for her comfort and well-being. If she is a frosh and naive, this could be a wonderful moment for her and for whoever can explain that wanting a group to socialize with and wear Lily Pulitzer doesn't mean you need to be official…

Um, no. The expansion of the abdomen that pregnancy causes in some cases actually splits some muscle tissue so that getting one's flat abs or even non-poochy belly back may be impossible, even if one gets skinny. I have known lots of post-pg women who lost a lot of weight breast feeding, but never lost the poochiness.…

Not smart to tuck the dust mites in, but I don't use that term. Ever. Stupid, sure.

About making one's bed — for those with dust mite and mold allergies, it can be better to leave the blankets and sheets pulled back so that sunlight/fresh flowing air can fully dry out the mattress and sheets and restrict the growth of mildew and dust mites. Straightening the sheets and folding them back neatly can…

Giving birth, anyone, as a dangerous occupation? Sheesh.

If he wears them, what does it matter? (I do not even try to really fold my tshirts, just jam them in the drawer). If it is your shirts, then a discussion of why he gets to decide how your things are handled is in order. That is a deeply paternalistic attitude that needs to be called out.

There has been a lot of research on this. First heard about it close to 5 yrs ago. Confounding variables have been/are being researched and addressed.

The worst part is that it doesn't have to. Raising my son has forced me to look clearly at assumptions and ways to explain the ways women live in the world and how he does not have to contribute to the bad parts. Being honest and direct with your son about stuff he has to go through (male dominance bullshit that gets…

This is far more common that is publicly acknowledged. That young men can be affected, that they go hand in hand. And that both can kill you.