That Time I Almost Met Hugh Jackman
By Tom Weiss
The first time I was in Australia, I walked past Hugh Jackman on a path winding through the Royal Botanical Garden in Sydney right next to the Opera House.
At least, I think I did.
After fifty or so meters, I turned to my partner and said, “That was Hugh Jackman back there.”
They flung themselves around to look. “I don’t think so. That’s just a tall guy in a hat and sunglasses.”
“Whatever. I’m telling you that’s him.”
“Self-Image” Issues? Your Parents Were “Narcissists” and “Toxic!” – Convenient Excuses and Cultural Dry Rot
By David Churchill Barrow
“Certified Life Coaches” are springing up across the country like dandelions (and you, too, can become a “Certified Life Coach” in as little as 90 days!). Lisa Romano is one “who specializes in codependency and narcissistic abuse.” She was challenged by a viewer for encouraging the alienation of adult children from their parents, and to her credit Romano gave a detailed response. In it, there is a glimmer of self-awareness when she considers that her views on “abuse” might in turn be abused by self-centered offspring, but it quickly fades. After all, she’s not talking about parents “who ask their kids to clean up the dishes after their friends were over to teach responsibility,”and she goes on to cite far more serious cases. As for all that may lie in between? Well, if it wasn’t “validation of your feelings,” if it didn’t “fan the flames of the light inside you,” then it was abuse, “dear ones.”
