Still here

As a household with both canines and felines we were interested in the Biology winner of the IGs this year. My husband would like to conduct his own tests, and I am trying to redirect him.

~k

I know this might be beyond the scope of your column, but what's your take on the helicopter parent? I know I was thrilled my parents (mainly my mother) did nothing more than drive me to the two colleges I was interested in for college visits and edit my essay for grammar. I never appreciated when my mother tried to micro-manage me in high school (reminding me of due dates for papers, etc) so I told her to back off. If I forgot to do an assignment, tough luck. I had the same philosophy during my college search.

How can one tell when "How are you doing?" is just a greeting, and when it's a question that calls for an answer? Where I come from, it's usually the latter, but I think locally that might not be right.

I think your blog is the first place I learned about a "fail." The examples have been good for a laugh, but I was puzzled about the word itself. Then today I read this article "Epic Win" (it's about the term "fail"): http://www.slate.com/id/2202262/. Thought you might enjoy it, since you inadvertently got the term rolling.

Hi!

Have been dying to ask you this: What is the deal with "asking" invited guests to take off their shoes before entering one's house?

My friend and I have been arguing about this for a while. He says it's perfectly ok to ask anyone and everyone to take off the shoes because it keeps the rugs and hardwood floors in good shape. I say it's kinda gauche to force adult guests to strip down to their socks (a form of underwear, IMHO) to protect your possessions.

The fight started when I was invited to a dressy cocktail party held at the home a professional acquaintance. I was surprised to be asked to remove my shoes. Of course I complied. But... without my heels, the nice black slacks dragged on the floor (and incidentally got covered with white cat hair). It was embarrassing and uncomfortable to talk shop while sporting the reinforced toe-look. The gold-toe look on the gentlemen was not so hot, either.

Someone suggested that I pack teeny black slippers in my evening bag when going to parties and such -- but that seems rude and passive aggressive (not to mention annoying). HELP!!!

Just for the record, if I'm going to my BFFs house to watch the game, or if I'm headed to a party on a snowy/rainy day, I'll plan accordingly and even offer to remove my shoes if there's an obvious shoe pile at the door.

THANKS! Have a great weekend!!

PS - Love your column, love your blog!