Crowd stress is nothing new. Back in the ’90s, I was an on-air therapist for a reality-cam house full of 20-somethings in Boston. Without exception, the number one fear they all had was entering a crowded place where they didn’t know anybody. The unknown is a formless dark specter that looms out of our control at […]
The Star Wars series is one of the biggest cash cows in human history. The absurdity of its storylines is only matched by the lunacy of its fan subculture. In any objective analysis, it is a children’s cereal box pastiche of kitsch, pedestrian borrowings from Buddhism and the myths of King Arthur combined with an […]
In an era where the immediacy of the Internet is destroying most mediums, comic books seem to be at the height of their popularity. Television and film has paved the way for comic books to reach such a level, and merchandising is off the charts (one of the purposes of Yogurt from Spaceballs). This boom has […]
Dear C: I’m 22 and still trying to figure out this relationship thing. My last relationship ended badly. It’s been a year, but I’m not completely over it. I spent two years with this person and it made an impression. Recently, I met a woman I really get along with and we’re starting to get […]
Ah…Halloween. What other time of year can girls dress with aplomb as slutty goth prom queens or a band of cartoon villains, zombies and super heroes approach any door and demand candy without having the police called on them? This holiday is the perfect excuse for all of us to don a mask and assume […]
Friday, November 10 marks the start of the “Biggest show in the smallest state!” as fans gather at the Rhode Island Convention Center & Dunkin Donuts Center for a weekend of indulgence. In plain language, a bunch of NERDS are taking over Providence. This year, it’s more true than ever because Rhode Island Comic Con will […]
On Tuesday, September 26, 2017 the Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a press statement about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): “STDs are at a record high, indicating urgent need for addressing protection.” The increase was seen by director Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH as “a clear warning of a growing threat.” This announcement was eerily […]
It’s All Hallow’s Eve in Li’l Rhody and you feel like it’s a little hollowed out. But with a bit of creativity, you can get spooky like a Rhode Islander and show your local pride. Rhode Island has plenty of local landmarks to choose from that provide fantastic costume inspiration. Get creative! Dress yourself as […]
Since its founding in 1636 as “a shelter for those distressed of conscience,” Rhode Island has attracted freethinkers and dissenters and those whose oddball beliefs made them unwelcome elsewhere, so it should not be surprising that a number of strange stories have been passed down to us through the years. And when it comes […]
Dear C; I dread the coming winter. I work out of my home and every year, I struggle with carb cravings, depression, fatigue, weight gain … you name it. No matter what I do, I put on 5 pounds and find myself immobilized on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket to stay warm. It takes me […]