Bruce Littlefield's Life 101

What’s Up with America? Facebook!

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Go ahead and friend me on Facebook and see what happens if you de-friend me. Nothing. Some people take Facebook way too seriously. In unbelievably tragic news, a Tennessee man is charged with murder after killing a couple who deleted his grown daughter on Facebook from their friends list. According to police, Marvin Potter’s daughter was harassing Billy Payne Jr. and Billie Jean Hayworth after they deleted her. The father was so upset he shot the couple to death. This comes after a North Carolina woman was killed by her ex-boyfriend after announcing her engagement on Facebook. This is all terribly senseless. Here’s some Life 101 advice: if someone de-friends you on Facebook or in life, move along. Chances are, you’ll find another friend. You’ve always got me.

Posted in Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing, What's Up WIth America? | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, defriending, facebook murder, life 101 | 1 Comment

When I Grow Up – Chimpanzee!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Yesterday’s post revealed my Hamadryas baboon science fair project, and I got an email asking why I hadn’t become an animal behaviorist. Well, here’s the rub. I love nature. I love animals. And if I hadn’t become a writer, I think I would have become Jane Goodall! So, I was excited to learn about DisneyNature’s new movie “Chimpanzee” that swings into theaters on Earth Day 2012 (April 20). Watch the trailer here. Adorable. Brought tears to my eyes, and I’ve already marked my calendar. See Chimpanzee opening week and Disney will make a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute. (Added bonus Valentine’s hint: send a chimpanzee Valentine’s card from Jane’s site. So cute!)

Posted in Life 101, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing, When I Grow Up | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, chimpanzee movie, jane goodall, life 101 | Leave a comment

Life 101 – Swimming with Nemo

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

So, I just got back from an around the block line at the grocery store (eerily similar to the line before Sandy… think I even saw some of the same people.) This is my night to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and watch the first season of Downton Abbey. (Yes, I’m a little behind.) Looking at this weather map, I hope you’re staying in with similar plans. It’s NOT a night to drive. Breaking news: more than 4,000 flights have been cancelled, more than a foot of snow projected for New York, there was a 19-car pile up in Maine, and governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut have banned car travel after 4 pm! But I must say, looking out my window at the snow… it sure is beautiful.

Posted in Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Travel, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, nemo, storm prep, weather map | Leave a comment

What’s Up with America?

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

In 11th grade my study of the Hamadryas baboon won the behavioral division of the state science fair. I introduced toys into their African environment at the zoo and charted the effects in the “big love” baboon society. (Male leader controls up to 10 females and their young.) I was thrilled today to see the White House Science Fair and to know how exciting it must be for those kids, especially when the President shoots your Extreme Marshmallow Cannon. (Congrats to 14-year-old Joey Hudy.) More, I love that the president said we should celebrate our young scientists in the same way we celebrate our best young athletes and performers. Take that Kim Kardashian!

Posted in American Fun, Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Talented Kids, Uncategorized, What's Up WIth America? | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, extreme marshmallow cannon, white house science fair | Leave a comment

Life 101 – The Notebook

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

I just did a Skype talk with writing students from the Department of English and Journalism at Western Illinois University. Their professor, Magdelyn Helwig, went to Brookland-Cayce High School (my alma mater!) and brought me into the class to discuss writing as a career. They asked some great questions, but I thought I’d pass along a piece of advice I gave them that really works in any career. Always carry a notebook! [Not The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (though I read it on a plane and cried so hard a flight attendant came over and asked me if I was okay.)] I mean get yourself a notebook to jot down ideas and things people say. I’ve carried a notebook since high school and find that it gives me power and is a great resource of endless ideas when I’m stuck. Try this: write down what someone says and you’ll see that they’ll want to know why you’re taking note… (and they’ll feel important.) Report back.

Posted in Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Quick Fixes, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, life 101, nicholas sparks, the notebook, western illinois university | Leave a comment

Weekend! – Last Laugh

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Have you heard about the “Cinnamon Challenge”? (Maybe you’re trying it this weekend?) This popular Internet meme is a dare game in which a person tries to swallow a tablespoon of cinnamon without vomiting or inhaling it. Thousands of videos of people attempting the feat have been uploaded on YouTube — few succeed. I’ve just been pointed to comedienne GloZell’s attempt. And, well, it cracked me up. Enjoy the laugh and your weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with a smile on my face.

Posted in American Fun, Dinner Party Talk, Life 101, Parties, Uncategorized, What's Up WIth America? | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, cinnamon challenge, GloZell | Leave a comment

Holidays – Groundhog!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Happy (?) Groundhog’s Day, the day Punxsutawney Phil climbs out of his burrow in Pennsylvania at 7:20 a.m. in front of a crowd of 40,000 visitors to predict whether winter will “end” early. Today, he scurried back inside, indicating we’ve got another 6 weeks. But, um, he’s accurate only 39% of the time, which means he’s running neck and neck with meteorologists. Here’s my Groundhog’s Day predictions: It’s always my friend Karen’s birthday. (Happy birthday, Karen!) AND it is my day to announce to the groundhogs who have declared my barn their condo that “you will be evicted in 6 weeks!” So, you better start packing.

Posted in American Pets, Dinner Party Talk, Gardening, History of Fun, Holidays, Life 101, Pop Culture Pop-Up, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing, What's Up WIth America? | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, groundhog's day, punxsutawney phil | Leave a comment

What’s Up With America?

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

A great publisher I worked with at Harper Collins, the great Joe Tessitore, told me shortly before his retirement that he considered me the “What’s Up With America? guy.” Along those lines, I thought I’d start a new series here at brucelittlefield.com called “What’s Up With America” and feature the things that seem to be too fun, whacky, nutty, interesting to ignore… Like this billboard that just went up in Manhattan on 54th Street and 7th Avenue. As the fantabulous Cindy Adams would say, “Only in New York!”

Posted in Dinner Party Talk, Gossip!, Life 101, Quick Fixes, Uncategorized, What's Up WIth America? | Tagged #americana, #brucelittlefield, #life101, divorce, how to handle cheater, only in America | Leave a comment

How to Be a Shark, um, Success

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Set your DVRs, She-Shark Barbara Corcoran and her rich in the tooth pals are back for the 3rd season in the Shark Tank on ABC Friday night at 8 pm. If you’ve never seen the show, check it out here. And if you want a book that’ll inspire you and show you how to succeed, check out my book with Barbara, Shark Tales: How I Turned $1000 into a Billion Business.

And for those of you who are wondering where I’ve been this January… I’m on lock down on a new project and headed to Sundance next week. I’ll be back in February with more American FUN! Thanks for your friendship.

Posted in American Hype, Gossip!, Life 101, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, barbara corcoran, how to succeed, shark tales, shark tank | Leave a comment

How’s your New Year starting?

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

So, several people have asked me to post more videos here. What do I think of that? Sounds exciting! Shall we call it a LIFE 10! RESOLUTION? Did you know more than 50% of Americans make ’em. And more than a quarter of those break ’em by the end of the first week. How ya doing? See my post below. A dream is much more fun than a resolution! And you can quote me.

Posted in American Fun, Dinner Party Talk, Gossip!, Holidays, Household Tips, Life 101, Parties, Uncategorized, What I'm Doing | Tagged #americana, #bruce littlefield, how to keep resolutions, new year's resolutions | Leave a comment