I was cajoled by my internet humor-writer friend otherwise known as the award-winning author and humorist to attend National Society of Newspaper Columnist Conference. I acquiesced and immediately regretted my impulsive behavior—this of course after I had purchased the tickets to Ventura, California. I mean really, I write the humor column for the b-town blog and I don’t recall winning any awards recently or for that matter have any other credentials that would allow me entrance to such an esteemed society. But times are hard and Karen said, “It doesn’t matter, they need people to fill the conference room, all the newspapers are shutting down or going Chapter 11, they need bodies man.” So I went.

Has anyone asked you your name recently and you’re overcome with a mad desire to spout out some idiotic name—just to get a reaction? I recently visited a very busy Starbucks in Santa Monica, CA. I know what a surprise, me in a Starbucks. Anyway, the barista says; “Can I have your name please?” With a face like granite, no mouth twitches, I reply. “Fluffy.”