In my humble opinion, the best conversations last for at least an hour and conclude with a handshake and, “My name is Jen, by the way.” That is, if you are a certified story addict like I am. Whether talking about Peter the Great, the Great Depression, and the harems of ancient Persia with anContinue reading “The Story Addict”
Author Archives: Jen
The North in N.C. Eateries
“In 1956, Mike opened the small shop in the sea-side town of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. …Mike was unique in that the product he was offering was a relatively new item in American society – the submarine sandwich.” Today, Jersey Mike’s boasts more than 600 locations, including three franchises in and around my hometown ofContinue reading “The North in N.C. Eateries”
Conceding with Greats
In the spirit of the yesterday’s events, I entered into a friendly wager about the outcome of the presidential election. Barack Obama would win the electoral college, I asserted, but lose the popular vote. Well, as you probably know by now, by “lose,” I meant “win by 300,000 votes.” Also in the spirit of theContinue reading “Conceding with Greats”
A Battle of Wits: NAV 101
“Truman. Truman, that’s our turnoff.” “I changed my mind. What’s New Orleans like this time of year? Mardi Gras, woooooo! Ha ha ha ha ha! Hoo hoo hoo! Whoooohoo! Look, Meryl! Same road, no cars. It’s magic! Hahaha!” –The Truman Show I swear, driving with a GPS brings out the worst in me. When thereContinue reading “A Battle of Wits: NAV 101”
The Perks of Falling Back
Last night while I was sleeping, the clocks crossed over to the Dark Side and returned to standard time. Ambitious early birds (are you really going to trust someone who thinks worms are a tasty treat?) may be thrilled by the extra hour of light, and to them I say, “Good for you. Savor thatContinue reading “The Perks of Falling Back”
Powering Up
Friends, I have come to an important realization: my internal system requires 43 percent solar power in order to operate at full capacity. Due to eccentricities of design, this percentage cannot be replaced by other forms of energy such as food, caffeine, or sleep. If present in insufficient quantities, I operate at a maximum functionalityContinue reading “Powering Up”
Things Heard in Coffeeshops, Halloween Edition
“The full moon is nothing! It’s the crescent moon you have to worry about. When the moon is lying on its back with its legs in the air, that’s when you know you’re in trouble.”
Locavino: Cellar 4201
It’s a gorgeous Friday afternoon in October. After a week of rain, the sky is a clear blue with a white tint on the edges of the horizon. I’m sitting on the patio of Cellar 4201, a small boutique winery in the Yadkin Valley AVA of North Carolina, surrounded by crape myrtles, ferns, and brightContinue reading “Locavino: Cellar 4201”
On Lying in Bed
G.K. Chesterton, sometimes you just get it right. Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling. This, however, is not generally a part of the domestic apparatus on the premises. […] Misers get up early in the morning;Continue reading “On Lying in Bed”
Dream a Little Dream of Me
The mental health experts would have a field day with this one… Scenario: The dear cat of the house encounters the crazy about 5:30 a.m. and begins running suicides across the house, ending each one by slamming against my bedroom door. Subsequently, I have a vivid, memorable dream that I am attempting to recoup, amongContinue reading “Dream a Little Dream of Me”
Snark on the Side 