The Cat's Meow

We're well into our twenty first century. Gone are the days when women couldn't own property, couldn't vote, couldn't go out unescorted.

Today, women have jobs. They still don't make as much money as men, but they do have jobs. As Virginia Slims would say: "You've come a long way, baby".

Now, I don't see myself as a card carrying feminist. But I do believe that the rights of men and women should be the same, the salaries of men and women should be the same. That men and women should both have the same right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Having said that, I've been known to make some indiscriminate stereotypical comments about men. It's probably a futile attempt on my part to level the playing field after millennia of men ruling the world. It's all in good fun.

I do have one pet peeve, though.

You've all heard it. Or done it yourself. A women will get into a heated discussion with another person and inevitably some bystander will make the sound: "Meow." Then of course, there's "The claws are coming out now". And the classic: "Cat fight".

It drives me crazy. It instantly dismisses everything a woman is saying by reducing it to petulant whining. No one ever makes any cat comments when a man is arguing a point.

Please, please, please, please, please. Isn't it time we eliminated this grating idiom from our language?

Six Feet Under

I admit it. I love visiting cemeteries. I'm not sure when it started. Maybe when I was younger and my friends and I would venture into the cemetery on Bateman Road after dark. Ghoulish and grim, but fun and a good place to hang out when no one's parents were out of town.

I've done my share of traveling in my day. Every time I planned to go somewhere new, I'd pick up a Fodor's or Frommer's and research all the sights I needed to see. Inevitably I would seek out the most compelling facet of a new place: where its famous people are buried. I mean, I love a spectacular cathedral or museum as much as the next guy. But there's something almost poetic about a great cemetery.

There's N'awlins and its legendary cemeteries. Of course, having read the guide book, I found that it was dangerous to venture into them. Especially after dark. Still, after a lovely Sunday afternoon brunch at the Commander's Palace, I ventured into Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. Didn't have a single problem. And it was lovely.

I went to Philly and stopped by the Christ Church Burial Ground. Benjamin Franklin was buried there, and his gravestone is covered with pennies tossed by those looking for good luck. A charming ritual.

In Boston, the Granary Burial Ground is smack dab in the center of town. Such American dignitaries as  Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere himself are buried there. A small area of incredible history amongst the hubbub of the business world of today.

There is the most famous and well visited cemetery in the world, the Pere LaChaise in Paris. Built on a hillside in the 20th arrondissement, it is beautiful and haunting. Tons of famous folks are buried there: Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Chopin, Bizet, Edith Piaf, Proust, Marcel Marceau, Sarah Bernhardt. I spent a morning there checking out the gravestones of all these legendary people. And I spent the better part of an hour seeking out the tombstone of Jim Morrison. Tourists. I know.

Still in France, I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy, overlooking Omaha Beach. Nearly 10,000 American soldiers are buried there. We drove there through the French countryside, rustic and rundown. I really didn't know what to expect. To say that I was more than pleasantly surprised is an understatement. The cemetery is pristine, well-tended, respectful. It was the most moving cemetery experience of my life. Holy.

Yes, I've visited some famous cemeteries. But all cemeteries are interesting. There are huge ostentatious marble headstones, and simple stones with just a name, date of birth and date of death. Some inscriptions are funny, some ironic, some sad. A huge collection of family members, a mother's date of death the same as her child's date of birth. A multitude of stories that will remain mysteries to me.

Life and death. All etched on a tombstone.

Fascinating.

The Voice Prediction

The teams are not even complete, but I'm going to make my prediction for who will win The Voice right now:

Pharrell Williams.

I'm sorry. I guess I should have said the "winning coach" on The Voice. Only 2 episodes of the blind auditions and Pharrell already has a formidable team. But it really doesn't matter. I get the feeling that Pharrell Williams knows how to create a star.

Just listening to the comments he makes to the contestants: thoughtful, relevant, true. He doesn't make crazy promises. He just offers valuable insight and advice, and he has the experience to make it happen.

I know. I know. All you die hard music fans out there are saying "Duh!" Of course he's going to win.

I'm way late jumping on the Pharrell Williams bandwagon. I have to say though, it's refreshing to hear his interaction with the contestants instead of the coaches interacting with each other.

Go Team Pharrell!

Arrested Development

I know. It's been out for awhile, but I just signed up for Netflix a couple months ago. I've binge watched Breaking Bad and House of Cards- both awesome.

Then I remembered that new episodes of Arrested Development were made only for Netflix. I was a HUGE Arrested Development fan, right from the very beginning. I've loved Jason Bateman ever since Silver Spoons. And who knew that Jessica Walter, the psycho from Play Misty for Me, was such a brilliant comedic actress?

I loved the show, so hilarious. I couldn't believe it was cancelled. Cut to a few years later and Netflix announces that they will make new episodes of Arrested Development. Would it hold up? Could it be even close to what it was?

In my opinion, the answer is yes. After watching just a few episodes, I'd say it hasn't lost a beat. Plus there are awesome guest stars in nearly every episode.

Better news? I've heard there are going to be even more episodes filmed just for Netflix.

Just what I needed- something to keep me from writing.

Iowa Hawkeyes Football

Okay…I'm just going to say it.

Is it time for Kirk Ferentz to go?

Yes, I sat down yesterday afternoon for my annual viewing of the Iowa- Iowa State football game. I attended both schools so I can be happy whoever wins. Still, I have to admit to jumping on the Hawkeye bandwagon.

It was a delightful midwestern fall day and I was ready to watch a good game. So you can imagine my dismay when I was treated to yet another poorly coached game. I'm not talking about the kicker cooling time out at the end of the game.

Seems to me over the past 2-3 years, the Hawks have had some poor leadership. I know, Kirk Ferentz seems like a good guy-  Hayden Fry protege. He loves Iowa City, wants to stay. Well, who doesn't?

I, like all Hawkeye fans, am loyal to my guys. I've rooted for Ferentz and the Hawks all these years. Yes, there's been some good years, some great years. But also some mediocre years and bad years.

This year, the Iowa Hawkeyes were thought to be contenders for the Big 10 championship, and they can barely beat UNI and Ball State. They lose a game to the Cyclones that they should have won.

I don't know. It pains me to say it. But maybe, just maybe Ferentz should go.

Starbucks Pay it Forward: How is this still a thing?

Today I started my morning by going to Starbucks to pick up a latte. I pulled into the drive thru, a few cars ahead of me, a few behind me blocking traffic.

I ordered my drink and was given the total. The line seemed to be moving extra slowly, but I tried to be patient, even though my dog was going nuts in anticipation of a puppacino.

When I finally reached the window, I was told that the gentleman ahead of me had paid for my order.

Seriously? Again?

How is this still a thing? Maybe it's just finally seeped into the Midwest from the coasts. I get it, it's probably kind of fun for the baristas to see how long of a run they can get.

But let's be honest. The only person who's being generous and charitable is the one who starts the whole thing going. The guy ahead of me pays for mine, I pay for the person behind me, and so on…

All the rest of us are paying and Starbucks is getting all their money.

I think I'm a reasonably generous person, but why is it that whenever I get trapped in one of these "pay it forward" lines, I buy a measly latte and the person behind me is picking up breakfast for the whole office?

Top 10 Reasons to Watch the US Open

I am, of course, speaking of the US Open Tennis Grand Slam event taking place in New York City even as I write this.
These are my top ten reasons to watch:

#10. Getting to watch footage of classic US Open matches during rain delays.

 #9. Finding out what crazy thing Ernests Gulbis does or says next.

 #8. Appreciating the fashion sense of the Williams sisters.

 #7. Hoping that an American man will make it into the second week.

 #6. Finding out if Novak Djokovic will make it through the tournament before his baby is born.

 #5. Searching for celebrities in the crowd.

 #4. The clever and funny commentary of the McEnroe brothers.

 #3. Don't want to miss the irritating screeching noises of Sharapova and Azarenka

 #2. Watching Roger Federer maybe win his 17th slam, with the help of his new Air Jordans.

 And the number on reason to watch the US Open:

 Mourning the absence of the great Rafael Nadal!!!