Just returning now from a mini vaca that was strange, unpredictable and inspiring. I don't have time to see how others have responded, but for me it's about finding ways to lower the waterline. As my friend says, 'live full on'. Go beyond the invisible perimeter you've set on your life as often as you are able.

By the way, if you are writing and coming up with stories as often as you say, it sounds like you are doing pretty damn good. I am impressed.

"... saying to the audience, "I've got something to hide. Listen for it and you'll see." "

That is perhaps what bothers people most, that we can't really hear her and only have this ambiance to roll around in. Fun but forgettable.

" Lavish, dense production is mistake #2. If her voice isn't super hot, so be it! Make it lo-fi, rough, obvious, minimalist and a bit edgy...."

Liz Phair as an example, with early albums left rough and she really shined. Then the overproduction team came barging in and subsequent album(s) were so smooth I couldn't tell Liz from Jessica or (insert any teen sensation here) anymore. Where is my Liz and what have they done with her?!

Always tragic.

Cary's advice is flawless.

It can be applied to many situations and I am printing this one for future use.

Thank you!

Ms. Harris,

That was a fun little story, the way you wrote that. Who knew one could laugh about abortion rights!

McCain and his opposition to rights. Well that's not so funny.

Cocteau Twins anyone? (Apologies to Scottish duo, I mean no malice here.) It's so stylized and overproduced that you can't really tell if there is a good instrument there. Very fluffy.

Falling down has the ambiance of an eerie memory that keeps coming back and I kind of like it. Interesting photoshop cover, I kinda like that too.

She probably won't be known for her musical gifts.

Mormonism isn't the only religion that pretends molestation and abuse doesn't exist under it's convenient umbrella. Please show the photos, so the world knows that right here in a county so great, something despicable is happening.

What a freakfest! Jeffs is so vile he wouldn't be worth beating to a bloody pulp. If he remains in prison long enough, someone will get to him though.

Gotta agree with benthead about this. "One of my imaginary commandments: thou shalt not declare publicly how unworthy or stupid someone is for having a child." and may I add... "especially if 'thou' doesn't have experience with kids or parenting."

"Like a lot of posters have said, I give up sleep. Sleep is the first thing to go. I stay up to 1 or 2 am reading, writing and indulging my on-line hobbies. It's the only way I can preserve my individuality and sanity." I think it was Irina who wrote this.

This could not be more true. I also become obsessed with talking about a book or any other bit of culture that can be discussed with a real live adult. Sound desperate? Until you've been home for a week with sick kids, you don't know desperate. There is no escape hatch of any kind, especially when they are ill. You have to be present for your children. There will be people here who will shame you for feeling like you need more or for some imagined slight that you must have to be writing for advice. You just sound wiped out to me. Refill the drain, however you can...for you and for your son.

Someone said to get a basketball hoop. Funny! Another person mentioned that the therapists are marching in to dole out zany advice for your depleted soul. No one knows what the heck they are getting into until they are parents! Someone recently told me she understood because, you know, she has a dog. In moments like that all you can do is smile.

It sounds too as if you are extra sensitive to stimulus. A slice of hell might be shuttling kids around, lots of them, screaming and fighting in the back seat while you are lost on some superhighway en route to a drawn out sporting event where it is expected the parents volunteer...all day long. Just thinking about it gives me hives.

Here's the point: You are over the baby/toddler years (whew) and that young person who is endlessly curious and brimming with energy is in your capable hands. Hang in there. As a single parent, you've already done more than most are capable of even considering. It may seem never ending but it will fly by and soon you'll be contemplating other things, like why the body breaks down to betray us in old age, or why your son doesn't visit more.

For now, put your chin strap on and burn your midnight oil! See you at the park with an extra large triple shot of coffee.

It makes people seem so arrogant. Instead of acting as stewards of the land and the other beings who share it, we find excuses to massacre under the guise of adjusting numbers in an ecosystem.

Maybe not as bad as the people who kill animals for purses and shoes, or for a trophy to put on a wall, but still demented and definitely short sighted.