Tete-a-tete Archives
An eclectic sampling of my award-winning humor columns. New columns can be read online at www.nashuatelegraph.com. Tete-a-tete is published one Sunday a month.
Tete-a-tete: Even the best-intentioned Christmas traditions can fail to take hold
For every successful holiday tradition, there’s an attempted tradition that never quite made it off the ground. It might be a recipe you hoped would be passed down through the generations but instead remains largely untouched at the holiday dinner … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: How to enjoy a wedding, even if it’s not your own
Being invited to a wedding is an honor, but attending such an event poses a unique set of challenges. Though there are all kinds of books and other resources available that deal with wedding etiquette and proper protocol, they don’t … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: A tale of unintentional cat ownership
“Never again.” It’s a phrase most us have uttered at least once in our lives. Never again will we eat a slice of cake that big, leave a project until the last minute, or put ourselves in a position where … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: Admissions about the college admissions process
In the decade since I earned my undergraduate degree, the entire concept of college has changed dramatically. Aside from the price tag, the biggest shift has been in the expectations that schools have for their prospective students. I came to … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: Avoiding car-tastrophe while purchasing a new vehicle
Shopping for a car is a hassle, especially if you hadn’t anticipated being in the market for a new vehicle just yet. One minute you’re waiting for a family member to get home from work or anticipating the results of … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: As American as apple pie: U.S. culture, through other eyes
It’s quite an intriguing experience to see your own culture through the eyes of another culture, and I believe this is especially true for those of us who are from the United States. I’m not referring to encountering stereotypes while … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: The geek gene runs strong in our family
Teenagers say the most mind-boggling things sometimes. Younger Sister, who is now 16, and Youngest Brother, now 17, often amaze me with their tendency to view themselves outside of the family context. They seem to take it for granted that … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: Grieving entertainment losses with a few simple steps
Thanks to the lightning-fast capabilities of social media, news travels quickly these days and becomes outdated even more quickly. Our minds and hearts, however, haven’t kept pace with the digital revolution. The human psyche is still pretty analog, and we … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: Parents, do not give your child the name equivalent of the April birthstone
Over the past year, an unprecedented number of my friends and relatives have either become pregnant or given birth, inundating my Facebook timeline and my postal mailbox with birth announcements, sonogram images, and baby pictures. The parenting advice is likewise … Continue reading
Tete-a-tete: Memento or clutter? Don’t leave that decision to the historians
Due to the massive amount of snow that has fallen and the accompanying freezing temperatures, the time I’ve spent outdoors this winter has been, shall we say, limited. Rather than catching up on movies or taking up a new hobby … Continue reading