March 13, 2004

Entertainment Weekly has declared comedian Chris Rock to be the Funniest Man in America. You know what I find funny? This story about a girl who recently bought a cell phone -- with Rock's old phone number.

Amazon.com has launched a new section dedicated to selling comic books and graphic novels. From superheroes to Sandman, this store offers folks who don't live near a comic book shop access to the latest in modern mythology.

March 12, 2004

I'm looking for singles willing to discuss dating, relationships and break-ups for a soon-to-be-published how-to guide on romance.

Anyone interested in being interviewed should e-mail me with the subject heading "Interview Request - Dating." Each interview contains 12 questions, and must be completed by March 20th.

I'm also looking for people willing to share moving tips for a soon-to-be published how-to book.

Anyone interested in being interviewed should e-mail me with the subject heading "Interview Request - Moving." The interview contains 10 questions, and must be completed by March 20th.

Thanks for your help!

March 11, 2004

This is the type of story that could make me want to become a vegetarian.

Good news for women who have trouble swallowing pills. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a chewable, spearmint-flavored version of the pill. Like other birth control pills, Ovcon 35 is effective in the prevention of pregnancy when used as directed.

March 10, 2004

Maureen Dowd, columnist for The New York Times, once quizzed President George W. Bush about his creative pursuits. He struggled to come up with an answer for each question, and finally declared baseball to be his favorite "cultural experience."

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, on the other hand, has a wide range of interests. Yes, he likes hunting and cheering for the home teams in several sports, but he also reads and writes poetry, listens to Elvis and the Stones and watches "Saturday Night Live" on TV. His favorite movies? "Miracle on 34th Street," "Top Gun," "Braveheart," "Les Misérables," "Phantom of the Opera," "My Fair Lady," "The Blues Brothers," "Animal House" and "Indiana Jones."

Shop. Destroy. Rule. That's the motto of the humorous, parody site, The Home Despot.

March 9, 2004

There's a fabulous, old episode of "Law & Order" where a gynecologist-turned-rapist goes on TV to proclaim his innocence. The next day, 65 of his victims come forward and press charges.

That show came to mind when I read this story about a Philadelphia man charged with sexually assaulting two teenaged girls. The defendant in the case claimed he was gay, and thus could not have raped the teens.

After the trial ended and his acquittal hit the airwaves, the state was flooded with calls from women claiming they also had sexual relations with the man. I guess he wasn't so gay after all.

I really wish the judges in Bucks County, Pa., could institute eye-for-an-eye justice. Daniel H. Culligan, 28, would be the first person I'd want subjected to it.

Culligan admits that on Dec. 14 he sprayed his cat with charcoal starter fluid, set it on fire and threw it over the balcony because it had defecated on the floor and in his dirty clothes. A neighbor took the cat, burned over 90 percent of its body, to an emergency animal clinic, where it was humanely euthanized.

March 8, 2004

A new Jaded Writings column has been posted. This week, I celebrate Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday.

• Sabina C. Becker - 3/8/67
• Patrick P. Stafford - 3/13/54
• Lynne Remick - 3/14/63

Past Afterthoughts