A good laugh, a great read, and the way to go

WATCH THIS: "Upright Citizens Brigade live "30 Rock" performance"

When the Writer's Guild of America was on strike a few years ago, the talent behnd the hit show "30 Rock" decided to stage a live show on the improv stage at New York's famed Upright Citizens Brigade. This presentation was to raise money for those affected by the strike, which included not just the writers, but the production crew as well.

You may have missed the live performance of this, but you can see it on the Season 2 DVD. And, it's well worth it. In the live preformance, all of the series regulars appear, complete with Alec Baldwin in a classic Jack Donaghy suit. A live band provides excellent background music to complete the show.


READ THIS: "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls

In the opening chapter of this book, as the author rides in the back of a limo to a black tie event, she sees her mother eating out of a garbage can.

What follows is a often harrowing tale of growing up in a family that has no money and is led by an irresponsible, and most likely, mentally ill mother.

The author nevers seeks pity. She tells the story of her triumph over such adversity with no fanfare either. Achieving this mixture is no easy task, but yet it is accomplished.


CHECK THIS OUT: www.costtodrive.com

Can't decide whether to fly or drive to your destination? This website will do exactly what it says and help you calculate the cost to drive. You simply put in your starting and stopping points and the make and model of your car. It's very simple. For those eco types out there, it will also determne  your carbon footrprint for the trip.

For example, I'm looking at going to Phoenix from Los Angeles. Costtodrive.com tells me that it will cost me $43.33 based on $2.83 per gallon of gas. So roundtrip would be approxiamtely $86.66. The lowest cost to fly, as listed by this same site, is $123. But, I couldn't find that fare at the time I needed to travel. It was more like $156 before taxes. There is also the time factor to consider. Driving will take 6+ hours, while flying time is just over an hour (that's in the air and does not include driving to and time spent at the airport). Is the cost calculator accurate? This I can't tell you. If I decide to make the trip, I'll let you know.