I met today’s interviewee while doing the fun reading series Witty Women Writers at the Book Cellar. She’s is a former investor relations firm vice president turned insanely popular New York Times bestselling author who lives in the Chicagoland area. She’s beloved for her witty memoirs Bitter is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big Ass; Such A Pretty Fat; Pretty in Plaid; My Fair Lazy and her most recent book, a foray into fiction, If You Were Here. You can read much more from and about her here on her blog, Jennsylvania. (P.S.: In case you can't tell, we conducted this interview before the holidays, but I wanted to save it for when everyone was back and paying full attention to their computers.)
I know you love coming up with the titles for your books (and others.) What are some that haven’t gotten used that are personal favorites?
The Jen Lancaster Interview
Jan. 6, 2012Give 'Bullseye' a Try!
Jan. 5, 2012
Friend of Zulkey.com Jesse Thorn has revamped his excellent show The Sound of Young America for 2012, renaming it Bullseye. If you read this site, you probably already have a broad range of interest when it comes to pop culture, in which case this podcast is for you. The show features interviews with actors, directors, comics and musicians, recommendations from critics and guest-spots from artists where they talk about their favorite projects from their colleagues.
The most boring presidential political scandals
Jan. 4, 2012
Before Andrew Jackson was president, he married a woman named Rachel Donelson in 1791. She had previously been married and believed that she was legally divorced. However, after marrying Jackson, Rachel found out this was not the case. Then she realized that she was mistaken, and everything was fine.
Once, at a state dinner, Millard Fillmore spilled soup on his own tie but since it was just consomme, it didn't stain and hardly anyone noticed.
Warren G. Harding's presidency was struck by many scandals. The Teapot Dome scandal was the most significant. In it, the top of a White House teapot went missing for some time shortly before the Queen of England came for a state visit, but it was found in time.
George H. W. Bush almost caused a mild stir when he called a White House maid by the wrong name, but then quickly corrected himself.
It is rumored that Richard Nixon once petted another dog while his dog Checkers looked on.
Nose
The great mix tape of horrible sports tunes
Dec. 28, 2011Tonight I'm going to my first Blackhawks game in several seasons, which makes me think about how much I love/hate the Blackhawks' song "Here Come the Hawks." It's so dated, so un-hockey, yet it makes me want to do a dance resembling "The Carlton":
Way back in 2007, I asked readers for suggestions of other embarrassingly dated and/or hilarious sports themes and I accumulated them in one epic post. Since then, thanks to the magic of Youtube, I'm sure even more themes have turned up, so if I'm omitting anything, please leave your suggestions (with links, ideally, and what makes the songs so good/bad) in the comments. Go Hawks!
A New Pirate Generation (with lyrics here)
Milwaukee Bucks' "Light It Up" ("The song is minimally altered each year in response to personnel changes."
Save the Date: Funny Ha-Ha in January!
Dec. 27, 2011Sure, we all love winter when we have the holidays to enjoy and it's not that cold, but we all know what comes after January 1: about eight more months of Chicago winter. This January, why don't you come in from the cold, enjoy a beverage and laugh your cute butt off at the writings of some of Chicago's greatest literary/journalist/what have you talent? Chicago's favorite literary humor reading series is back!
Funny Ha-Ha: Welcome to the 2012
Date: Monday, January 23, 2012
Time: 7-8:30 PM
Place: The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Season's Greetings
Dec. 23, 2011Have a wonderful holiday! Yes, these are my pets and I promise they are well-taken care of the rest of the time.
