What I Learned From Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss at MasterClass

Stuck indoors? Looking for a positive distraction during the pandemic? Check out Chris Voss Teaches Art of Negotiation at MasterClass. He’s a well-known hostage negotiator and ex-FBI legend. According to Chris, “Everything in life is a negotiation; life is a negotiation.” Why do you need this class? What if I told you that hostage negotiator skills can be useful every day? For instance, do your kids want a different curfew time? Try hostage negotiator skills. Your husband wants to buy a fancy sports car? Try hostage negotiator skills. Do you want to go wine tasting for a long weekend without the husbands? Once again, try hostage negotiator … [Read more...]

Wine Tasting For Dummies – That’s All of Us!

What do we really know about wine tasting? Apparently nothing! Take it from four Wall Street businessmen who ordered a $2000 bottle of wine at swanky Balthazar in New York City and ended up drinking and bursting into joy over an $18 bottle. The story goes on to say that a young couple next to them had ordered the $18 wine and were unknowingly served the more expensive bottle. Just deserts you might say? (You may think one who was punished got their 'just desserts' based on how it sounds, but the correct spelling and has only one 's' as in 'just deserts.') Four Wall Street businessmen ordered a $2000 bottle of wine This got me thinking. Do any of us really understand wine? How do we … [Read more...]

Funny Obituary – A Sense of Humor Doesn’t End at Death

If an obituary is an overview of the deceased person’s life events, then Joseph A. Heller’s family couldn’t resist getting in one last prank. His daughter, Monique, wrote an entirely hilarious yet appropriate obituary for a man who lived his life embracing the humor, often at the expense of others. It's too funny not to share! Obituary of Joseph A. Heller, Jr. (1937-2019) Joe Heller made his last undignified and largely irreverent gesture on September 8, 2019, signing off on a life, in his words, “generally well-lived and with few regrets.” When the doctors confronted his daughters with the news last week that “your father is a very sick man,” in unison they replied, “you have no … [Read more...]

Authors Tell Stories and Free Book Giveaways

This show will feature six authors telling stories about or inspired from recently published books. Sunday Night Stories Sun, August 30, 2020 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM PDT Use this link for tickets: https://tinyurl.com/SFAP8-30 Given the current times, in a world where all the bookstores are closed, this is an opportunity to hear great stories, learn about excellent books and to support these authors. Six lucky ticket holders will win a signed book from one of the authors. This is a virtual online show on YouTube Live. To attend, please register for the event with a donation of any amount, from $1 upwards. We will donate 25% of the proceeds from the show to support Marcus Books Oakland … [Read more...]

The New Face Mask Era – Which Face Mask Are You?

Did you ever imagine a pandemic could trigger a fashion trend? Thanks to Covid, face masks are everywhere, even on the runway during Paris Fashion Week, part of the designer’s spring/summer collection. Who’d a thunk it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbNysmik7Ps Looks like the face masks fashion statement is here to stay, a symbol of our times. The benefits of wearing a face mask are undeniable. Don’t believe me? Take it up with the CDC!* A face mask reveals much about your personality with over 803,000,000 Google results for “How to Make Your Own Face Mask?” Face masks can be made from a bandana, old t-shirt, bra, coffee filter, vacuum bagsm maxipad, the choices are endless. … [Read more...]

Getty Museum Challenge Beats Quarantine Boredom

The Getty Museum called for people to recreate works of art while in quarantine – and they did not disappoint. They asked its followers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to remake famous pieces from its collection. “We challenge you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home,” the museum wrote. Choose your favorite artwork Find three things lying around your house⠀ Recreate the artwork with those items https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1FnmKh4_E The Getty Museum challenged you to dig into Getty's online collections and re-create artworks with objects at home, inspired by the Instagram account @tussenkunstenquarantaine aka "Between Art and Quarantine," … [Read more...]

Introducing Author Dorothy Rosby, Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked Off About

I’d like to introduce Dorothy Rosby, speaker and syndicated humor columnist whose work appears regularly in publications in the West and Midwest. We met at an Erma Bombeck workshop and instantly clicked. Her friendly personality, cheerful attitude and wiliness to help cemented a friendship. I’m pleased to promote her upcoming book, Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About: Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time. The pandemic created an interesting challenge for a book release. Here’s the story behind the title of her new book, Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About: Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time.   The Book Formerly Known as Ewww If … [Read more...]

Authors Tell Stories by Six Feet Apart Productions

When opportunity knocks, answer the door! I’m thrilled to be included in this week’s lineup, Six Feet Apart Productions presents Sunday Night Stories, Authors Tell Stories. Five amazing authors will be sharing their stories on this Sunday's show, including Alia Volz whose memoir Home Baked - My Mom, Marijuana, and the Stoning of San Francisco has been optioned by JJ Abrams!                   Each author will be giving away one signed copy of their fabulous book too! Plus 50% of proceeds to struggling independent bookstores Alley Cat and Dog Eared Books in San Francisco. Tickets by donation on a pay-what-you-can … [Read more...]