http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/Confessions of an Assistant Features EditorenWed, 11 Nov 2009 08:10:49 PSTMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noConfessions of an Assistant Features Editorgr_cafehttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/yBMUIqFeFoQ/a_brave_new_newspaper_world.htmlWorkplaceLinda Odette | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 11 Nov 2009 08:10:49 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3925655 ]]>Any suggestions for trying new things in the paper (especially the features section) are welcome.http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/11/a_brave_new_newspaper_world.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/o58bmdaDcLw/author_jim_harrison_inspires_l.htmlEntertainment - Grand RapidsGrand Rapids - Home Page - EntertainmentLiving - Grand RapidsLinda Odette | The Grand Rapids PressTue, 06 Oct 2009 15:43:07 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3731955 ]]>Check out some of the Michigan man's best quips.http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/10/author_jim_harrison_inspires_l.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/oQDMTh9s3gk/to_clean_or_not_to_clean_is_th.htmlFeaturedFeedbackThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 18 Sep 2009 12:49:24 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3656969 ]]> I am a sick person. On Saturdays, I check off chores from a list as I finish them. The two seconds it takes to check one off are some of the best moments of my day. On Sunday mornings...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/09/to_clean_or_not_to_clean_is_th.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/td5nzR6S0U8/shake_it_off_avoid_swine_flu_b.htmlFeaturedLiving - Grand RapidsThe Grand Rapids PressTue, 15 Sep 2009 07:33:31 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3631428 ]]> To be totally prepared for the swine flu season, you'll need to know hand signals because you will not be able to shake hands with anyone or you will die. Actually, the Center for Disease Control would probably say...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/09/shake_it_off_avoid_swine_flu_b.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/MSd6bLfDJDk/start_the_school_year_on_the_w.htmlFeaturedThe Grand Rapids PressTue, 08 Sep 2009 11:01:58 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3583380 ]]> Those how-to-start-the-school-year-right tips are so overrated. Coming up with how-to-start-the-school-year-wrong tips takes real skill. And for me, they come naturally. Step one: Buy a new puppy on a whim three days before school starts as a gift for your...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/09/start_the_school_year_on_the_w.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/jpbVmG7JCME/you_can_save_time_getting_your.htmlEntertainment - Grand RapidsLiving - Grand RapidsNews - Grand RapidsThe Grand Rapids PressTue, 08 Sep 2009 06:15:24 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3566373 ]]>The woman who held the Guinness World Record for the longest nailsbroke them in a car crash last week....http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/09/you_can_save_time_getting_your.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/tUtVS84gtYk/blow_off_some_steamblame_drews.htmlEntertainment - Grand RapidsLiving - Grand RapidsNews - Grand RapidsThe Grand Rapids PressSun, 06 Sep 2009 02:38:39 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3566328 ]]> Whose to blame for the rotten weather this summer? Drew's cancer. Who's to blame for forgetting to stop at the light and you getting a ticket? Drew's cancer. Who's to blame for losing your cell phone? Drew's cancer. Drew's...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/09/blow_off_some_steamblame_drews.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/NYbZ4tam2Jo/how_to_make_money_on_a_road_tr.htmlEntertainment - Grand RapidsLiving - Grand RapidsNews - Grand RapidsThe Grand Rapids PressSat, 05 Sep 2009 03:38:07 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3566261 ]]> No plans for the weekend? Here you go. Enter these contests and you could be $11,000 richer. But don't get your hopes up. The Drive Smarter Challenge offers a top prize of $5,000, a NASCAR or Indy race package,...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/09/how_to_make_money_on_a_road_tr.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/OoD5SNKRgLY/be_mesmerized_watch_this_ukrai.htmlFeaturedThe Grand Rapids PressSat, 29 Aug 2009 04:13:08 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3514946 ]]> It will blow you away. You will pass it along to at least one friend, maybe 10. The "it" is a video that shows the winner of Ukraine's "got talent" TV show. The contestant is doing sand painting. If...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/be_mesmerized_watch_this_ukrai.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/Fl9kLs2CgmA/world_starts_smelling_better_o.htmlThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 28 Aug 2009 04:14:07 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3514908 ]]> Last night's buffet was the best you ever had, but today at the office, all that eating is catching up to you. As you walk out from your second visit to the restroom, you nearly collide with the handsome...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/world_starts_smelling_better_o.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/Rajen2bq1Bs/swapping_sandwiches_with_billy.htmlFeaturedGiveawaysLiving - Grand RapidsMLive - LivingThe Grand Rapids PressMon, 24 Aug 2009 09:46:11 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3480399 ]]>Billy Ray Cyrus wants you to build a sandwich on Facebook to feed the hungry. http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/swapping_sandwiches_with_billy.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/AzgiHugEOy8/win_a_year_of_beer.htmlFeaturedGiveawaysThe Grand Rapids PressSat, 22 Aug 2009 05:37:39 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3477988 ]]> Here's a refreshing contest: Coors is giving away a year of beer. The reason: To honor the 150th anniversary of Colorado's gold rush. Skilled beer drinkers probably are already wondering, "Is it all going to be delivered at once?...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/win_a_year_of_beer.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/gdJwqp5wcEQ/thousands_to_hula_dance_and_it.htmlFeaturedThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 21 Aug 2009 07:17:21 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3477906 ]]> At noon today in Times Square in New York, the crowds will learn how to hula dance and be given free leis to honor the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood. The best part: Caribaya Rum will sell 50-cent Pina...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/thousands_to_hula_dance_and_it.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/nt1Z5GwfcI4/look_at_this_lake_michigan_pho.htmlFeaturedLiving - Grand RapidsMLive - LivingThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 21 Aug 2009 06:09:23 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3477556 ]]>Courtesy Photo | Brad Reed I opened an e-mail this morning and saw a picture of storm clouds, the S.S. Badger Ferry, a sunset and a lighthouse on Lake Michigan taken last night. I have to share it, because it...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/look_at_this_lake_michigan_pho.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/xdfFOVWVPcI/a_womb_with_a_twitterer.htmlFeaturedGiveawaysThe Grand Rapids PressMon, 17 Aug 2009 06:07:01 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3449015 ]]> It is now possible to say your kid could Twitter before he could talk. A father has invented something called the Kickbee that attaches to Mom and, when Baby kicks, it's posted on Twitter....http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/a_womb_with_a_twitterer.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/tLMdBkAQZzw/dead_body_parts_deodorant_and.htmlFeaturedLiving - Grand RapidsThe Grand Rapids PressFri, 14 Aug 2009 13:45:27 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3439394 ]]> My job can't be matched for the joys it provides that make me chuckle and that make others think "why is she always laughing to herself? Doesn't she know how annoying it is?" Here's what I had waiting for...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/08/dead_body_parts_deodorant_and.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/RQ7ItDJ7zJI/backtoschool_shopping_advice_f.htmlGiveawaysThe Grand Rapids PressMon, 27 Jul 2009 10:57:07 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3306547 ]]> I'm not that happy about this going-back-to-school thing. I drive my daughter to school each morning before work, and don't care how much quality bonding it provides, I like being in the car by myself much better. Soon I'm...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/07/backtoschool_shopping_advice_f.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/g9-egMUbNNw/the_best_wedding_favor_blog_re.htmlFeaturedThe Grand Rapids PressWed, 22 Jul 2009 11:40:23 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3279456 ]]>You could save some money here. Bob Postal -- creator of the Vivowhite Pen To Go teeth whitener a.k.a. the Best Wedding Favor Ever I wrote about last week -- sent me a sweet e-mail today. It included a picture...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/07/the_best_wedding_favor_blog_re.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/Zhw65_pif6c/the_best_wedding_favor_ever.htmlDawn HudsonThu, 16 Jul 2009 09:13:06 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3250853 ]]> I've heard of flower bulbs, candy, Christmas ornaments, Beta fish and jam given to guests as wedding favors, but this takes a whole five-layer cake with a Precious Moments bride and groom on top: Teeth whitener. A company --...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/07/the_best_wedding_favor_ever.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gr_cafe/~3/2HYdoy_-nzo/the_lying_down_game_now_i_lay.htmlGiveawaysThe Grand Rapids PressThu, 16 Jul 2009 08:05:33 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/cafe//2265.3243594 ]]>HandoutHere's your chance to eat a chocolate bath tub. Next time the party gets boring, go take pictures of people lying head down in a weird place and put them on Facebook. This latest trend is known as the Lying...http://blog.mlive.com/cafe/2009/07/the_lying_down_game_now_i_lay.htmlnonadult