Goose that laid -- what?
There's a chronic problem with telling a great story. At some point, somebody will say, "Aw, I don't believe that" -- which is your cue to either prove its truth or admit that you made it up.
Comics jar this reader
On that list of life's annoyances -- IRS audits, telemarketers, car troubles, condescending store clerks, cold sores, etc. -- I'll now add this item: socially relevant comic strips.
Middle ground erodes
If my theory is true -- that anyone's life can be boiled down to a gravestone inscription -- these words could well appear on Juan Williams' marker: "Here lies the man who introduced Clarence Thomas to the world."
Trick will be on us for cause
Local illusionist Jim Passe has two big tricks planned for the future. The first falls into the category of don't-believe-what-you-see. The second is one that I'll believe only when I see it.
This time, straight talk
I should have known better. I'm a professional, but last week I made an amateur's mistake: I trafficked in irony.
Liberal radio has its charm
I think I'm going to love Air America Radio, the liberal broadcast network that cranked up for business last week.
Why writers say yes
In 1998, Margot Lester -- divorced and in a professional rut -- left Chapel Hill and moved to Los Angeles for a fresh start in life. She returned several months ago with a new entry on her resume: "sex writer."
Fishel's fixation irks some
Spring is finally here, which means it'll be eight months or so before I have to listen again to Greg Fishel rhapsodize about the glories of snow.
Stories you can believe
I've always had a fondness for tales, especially those that are stretched to the boundary of believability. Give me a good story and as a courtesy I'll overlook the minor inconsistencies.
History, football tango
This Super Bowl is about something more than football. It's about two states that have somehow become locked in a weird tango of antagonism and similarity. Think about it for a moment: North Carolina's team, the Panthers, is playing Massachusetts' team, the Patriots, for the championship of professional football in Super Bowl XXXVIII. At the same time, a North Carolina senator is facing off against a Massachusetts senator to see who will become the Democratic nominee for president.
Protest and pay the price
Protesters acknowledged that they deliberately chose to interrupt a basketball game so TV cameras would capture the event.
Paranoia comes in handy
I like hanging around with paranoid people. That way, I get the benefit of their constant state of high alert.
How sex should be taught
I think sex education is best handled by the people most qualified to communicate with teenagers: other teenagers.
The other stories now in print
The word always gets out, one way or another. And starting Thursday, N&O readers will have a new place to learn about all those smart, funny, ironic, sharp-edged, knowing and ego-deflating stories that are shared at the water cooler or over lunch. "Unfiltered," a new column by G.D. Gearino, will appear on the front of the Life, etc. section every week. Read it and spread the word.
More Stories
From the Wire
Entertainment Wire
- 'Guys and Dolls' finds its Sky and Sarah
- 'Boeing-Boeing' sets a Jan. 4 B'way closing date
- Hudson in-law charged with killing 3 relatives
- NBC exec: 'Meet the Press' deal close for Gregory
- Roman Polanski requests dismissal of sex charge
- 'Scrubs' returns with a 'friend' as its guest star
- More stories
Travel Wire
- Here are some tasty and cheap spots to fuel up near Pipeline and other Oahu surf meccas
- The Banzai Pipeline isn't the only legendary break in the Hawaiian islands
- Banzai Pipeline on Oahu is the planet's most famous wave, and a place where legends are born
- Blue Ridge Mountain city of Asheville, N.C., offers Biltmore and beyond to those seeking art, music, food
- Glass blends with cacti in new Dale Chihuly installation
- Faubourg Marigny neighborhood's notables include Uncle Lionel' Batiste
- More stories
Home & Garden Wire
- Pyracantha steals landscape shows
- Fixit: Mouseproof 101; cleaning sticky tools
- Home energy Q&A
- Home and garden news and notes
- Choosing safe, efficient Christmas lights for inside and out
- Do-it-yourselfer Q&A
- More stories
Religion Wire
- Atheists sue to take God out of Kentucky terrorism law
- Roundup of new Christmas albums from contemporary Christian artists
- Diocese questions grave matter' of voting for pro-choice candidate
- Parishioners support priest who encourages confession for Obama supporters
- Catholic priest urges parishioners who voted for Obama to go to confession
- Pastor who helped get "under God" in Pledge dies
- More stories
Food & Wine Wire
- More stories
Family Wire
- Ask Mr. Dad: Allowance and household chores
- Living with children
- If memory serves, memoirs are hot
- California's controversial Proposition 8 generates questions about nature of marriage
- Be on the same page for kids' sake
- In praise of teachers
- More stories
Seniors Wire
- Social Security Q&A
- Sorting out God, sex and chocolate cake
- Aging with purpose: Activity, attitude key to longevity
- Celebrating 50 years the same way they started
- Social Security Q&A
- More stories
Weird News Wire
- Cat lost in Yellowstone returned to Texas family
- DUI suspect drives off with fuel hose in tank
- Man accused of tossing Christmas tree at his dad
- Man jumps into cab of moving pickup to stop theft
- Woman accused of stealing neighbor's decorations
- Message in bottle tossed off NJ in '69 found in NC
- More stories
