The Daring Book for Girls

Well, I received a copy of The Daring Book for Girls, a book inspired by The Dangerous Book for Boys and I must say, I was impressed. I am not sure what I expected, maybe something too girly for my taste, sexist or anti-boy but I found none of my preconceived biases. Instead, I found a book packed with fun adventures and information for girls of all ages.

The book opens with essential gear that girls need: the list includes among other things, a swiss army knife described as a key tool for survival, a bandana to keep your head cool, rope and twine to help learn about knots, a journal, a hair band--great advice for girls with long hair-- duct tape, to fix almost everything, and patience--which is described in the book as a "quality and not a thing, but it's essential so we'll include it here. Forget perfect on the first try. In the face of frustration, your best tool is a few deep breaths, and remembering that you can do anything once you've practiced it two hundred times. Seriously." Good advice for anyone.

Readers can learn how to tie knots, how to do a cartwheel, learn weather signs, and my favorite--how to change a tire. Honestly, this is one that is really important for anyone to know, male or female. The steps in the book are really clear and to the point and it almost makes me believe that I could go out and change my tire right now. Almost, did I ever mention that plumbing and hands-on mechanical skills were some of my lowest scores on an aptitude test in college? Embarrassing but true. I realize this book is geared towards girls and teens, not women my age, but I might be sneaking a look at it every once in a while to help me with such skills as improving my sense of direction, camping skills, and learning to do Japanese t-shirt folding.

Finally, I would like to commend the authors for their excellent advice for how to deal with boys:

... One, if a boy doesn't like you for the way you are, the problem is him, not you. And two, don't try to make a boy change for you--it's important to appreciate people for who they are.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum of how you feel about boys, do treat all your friends, boys and girls with kindness. This has gone out of fashion, and that's a sad mistake.

Overall, the truth is that there's no big mystery about boys. Boys are people, and like all people, they are complicated. And that's what makes being friends with other people interesting: You get to learn about how other people think and act, and, in the process, learn a little bit more about yourself.

Good advice.

CNN interviewed me for their health section: My job's giving me a heart attack!

Lunch in NYC

with Ann Althouse. Glenn and I were here for the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough conference which was fascinating but first, we met up with Ann at a restaurant on the West side. We had a lovely lunch and then Ann and I went shopping--it's New York, you have to go shopping. And thanks Ann for being one of those types that talk your shopping companions into buying things--I love my new shoes!

New PJM Blogger

Psychologist Phyllis Chesler, the author of The Death of Feminismand many other books and articles, is now blogging at Pajamas Media:

As you all may or may not know, I am a retired Professor of Psychology, a retired psychotherapist, and a retired courtroom witness. But I remain an author, a lecturer, and a public intellectual (God help us all!) who is often interviewed by the media, but no longer by the liberal/left mainstream media.

Once, my books (there are fifteen, thirteen are published), my articles (there are thousands), and my various political, feminist, civil, religious, and human rights campaigns were widely and prominently covered in the major mainstream media. This changed radically in 2003 when I began writing in defense of Israel and America and about the hijacking of the western university by a virulent form of Stalinist Palestinianism and postmodernism.

Go by and welcome her here.

Recounting the Awful History of Repressed Memories

Ask Dr. Helen

My PJM column is up:

Men are becoming increasingly concerned about finding justice in today’s legal system. PJM advice columnist Dr. Helen interviews Glenn Sacks and warns against “standing idly by while your rights are infringed, your freedoms are in question and your sex is used as a weapon against you.”

I think the interview with Mr. Sacks is an important one--go read the column and see if you agree.

Things That Speak for Themselves

I recently viewed a YouTube video of IDF women soldiers (Hat Tip: Classical Values) and was struck by the serious anti-semetic and hate-filled comments by other viewers. Here are some examples of the anti-semitic comments (Warning, not appropriate for work or those with a delicate nature) made by those viewing the video:

I would not let one of you whores drink my piss. Go off and kill some more children, scum. Steal more land while you are at it. Fucking zionist scum bags.
It is good to see these sluts in uniform, now they are legit targets for the Palestine resistance.

i miss that nasty stinky jewish pussy

Has anyone read the book The "israel Lobby" Mearsheimer and Walt have really raised some powerful questions and were so accurate about how the book would be received. It is a must read for any global citizen.

what a douche bag country Lol you kill Liban and Palestinian " We are all survivor from a fake deathcamp, we can make everting , like kill inocent civilian " LOL Sorry but you're pathetic go fuck in burn fucking isreal. Deutschland über alles fickie alles untermensche und jude! Sieg Heil don't miss with the best fucking scum asshole bitchass jews

The fact that people out there feel like this --and that in their heart, they see it as acceptable--to me is disgusting.