Oh God!

Filed Under All Posts, Carine Fabius, Miscellaneous | 8 Comments

From miracles to manipulation, nature to nurture, Carine Fabius ponders the big questions.

God has been on my mind lately, but that’s not unusual; God is often on my mind. Maybe I’ve been thinking about God even more because I am from Haiti, and the subject always comes up after a great disaster. You’ve got the typical questions about How can God do this to a people already so down on their luck? And then, there they are, those unlucky Haitians themselves, publicly thanking God for saving their lives (those not crushed to death, anyway). Something bad happens, blame God. Something good happens, thank God! So, who is this entity, that seems to arbitrarily bestow luck on some and tragedy on others? Most likely, no God.

I am not an atheist, but this Judeo-Christian God, who sits in judgment of our tiniest transgressions and promises to deliver eternal damnation if we don’t behave seems downright petty. So, here’s my (still-developing) take on God: Read more

ALPHABETLOVER

Filed Under All Posts, Melissa Howden, Miscellaneous | 9 Comments

Melissa Howden shares a special treat for the “word nerd” in all of us.

I am a fan o’ words, an alphabet lover as my friend Lori b has named herself.

I love the history, the roots, the story of words. In my etymological meandering through cyberspace I found http://podictionary.com/

Podictionary puts a word root in your in-box everyday. While I receive my word root in text form the word root can also be heard as an audio word through a daily podcast (subscribe through iTunes). This is a site for word lovers. Charles Hodgson, the brains behind Podictionary, is clever, conversational, informational and contemporary. Take for instance the recent exploration of the word Nike, which, looks to the Greek Goddess of the same name and explores how she came to be more known as a shoe! Taking your etymological trivia and history a bit further, iPhone now has a Podictionary application, which can bring you a month’s worth of episodes for $1.99. Given the history of Podictionary there are 1000 episodes to choose from. I found my daily word habit came in quite handy over a Thanksgiving weekend game of Scrabble!

When You’re Smiling

Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Miscellaneous | 10 Comments

Cathy Fischer shares a music video unlike anything you’ll ever see on MTV.

Meet The Zimmers, a group from the UK with the oldest members of any band in the world. The youngest member is 71 and the oldest 102. They take their name from the Zimmer frame (the British name for a walker). The group records with top producers who work with U2 and David Bowie, among others.

“When You’re Smiling” is a music video that speaks to the young and the old and certainly the young at heart. Jack Beers and Grace Cook wander around their native New York and London and Stalley, the rapper, contributes respect-filled beats and rhymes.

This one warms my heart, especially on this cold winter day. Enjoy!

thezimmersonline.com

(If you are viewing this post in your emailbox, you must click on the title to get to the Fifty is the New website and view the video.)

Spring Break: Taking a Breather

Filed Under All Posts, Miscellaneous | Leave a Comment

Photo by Caiti Crum

We’re coming up on our one year anniversary at Fifty is the New, and we’re taking a pre-celebratory breather.

A bath, a good book, a walk on the shore—fresh air and the scent of spring blossoms…

In the meantime, have you added your 30-word or less definition of spring? >>

How about midlife sex? Read Connie’s tell-all >>

We always want to know what you’re thinking.

We’ll be back in a week or so. Until then…

Is That a Rock in Your Pocket?

Filed Under All Posts, Christie Healey, Miscellaneous | 5 Comments

Apropos of nothing, I want to share a few stories that tickle my mind.

Is That a Rock in Your Pocket?

A chimpanzee at a Swedish zoo has been planning. Those who know (?) say that animals are not capable of planning for future events; they work more on instinct and spontaneous action.

Previous chimp spontaneity has included throwing pooh. This chimp, Santino, shuns bathroom humor. Each day before the zoo opens he calmly gathers rocks from around his enclosure, carefully stacking them in pre-selected spots. He even watches for places in his compound where the concrete is crumbling so he can gently knock on the loose parts and gather more rocks. Later in the day when an audience has gathered, he launches his missiles. He has terrible aim, so no one has been seriously injured. All the people I know who have heard of the Rockin’ Chimp immediately express their total support for his actions. I wish Santino could get into spring training and develop a good breaking fastrock. Read more

Fifty is the New… Barbie!

Filed Under All Posts, Christie Healey, Miscellaneous | 16 Comments

Yes, that impossibly long-legged perky gal turns 50 in March.  Love her or hate her she has, like us, changed with the times and stood the test of time too. I know everyone has a Barbie opinion so let’s have ‘em. Oh, and don’t forget Ken.

The Future Looks Delicious!

Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Miscellaneous | 4 Comments

I saw these wonderful cookies at Citizen Cake in San Francisco. Yummm…

keep looking »