Today I learned a new slang word.  "TWERK". As a 44- year young, highly educated female, no children (therefore no teenagers) and who avoids using slang, keeping up with slang can be challenging. 

So when I heard the word "twerking" not once, but twice today, I felt OLD!

I've heard of "twerp", and "Twitter" and "tweeting".  But "twerk"?  Wait a second.  Maybe it's a new word and I'm not out of touch with lexicon of Generation Y. I'm only one generation before (Generation X).

I heard the term on the season premiere of the Ellen show today in her intro when she announced she was going to "twerk".  Then an hour later, in checking my emails on the laptop, the headline on the news section read:

Anna Wintour Cancels Miley Cyrus' Vogue Cover After VMAs Twerking

 Aah Miley Cyrus' infamous performance! That's a clear hint. While I did not watch the VMA's (that stand for Video Music Awards) I did watch the news highlights.  It doesn't deserve my attention on Joie de Vivre.  So upon Googling the definition of twerking, I was surprised to see the year 2006--that's seven  years ago!

On Yahoo Answers:

[Feb 28, 2006] Best Answer: Twerking is a frequently used slang word among young African Americans. To twerk is to dance sexually, grinding oneself against the partner. ~

 Then the same website updated the definition in 2012.

[Jan 11, 2012] Best Answer: Twerking is a type of dance in which a female rigorously shakes her booty, usually against a male's crotch area.

Even Yahoo! uses slang "booty" as part of the definition.

Wiki Answers used non colorful language to accurately define the action of twerking.

 Twerk also known as twerking, is a sexually provocative dance move. It involves hip thrusting moves in a low, squatting stance.

 After viewing videos on YouTube, it appears the term reached mainstream within the last 8 months. Now I can shake it and shimmy like any dancer (as in classical trained) but there is a difference between Dirty Dancing a la Patrick Swayze and Baby style and twerking. I could not in good conscious share any videos--butt cheeks overexposed and jiggling...you get the picture.  Save it for the bedroom.

Have you heard of Twerking?  What about parents of teenagers reading this? Do you talk to your kids not just about sex but what might be inappropriate behavior including dance moves?  Click on "Comment" below!

In the meantime, I still want to learn the Tango! Sexy but classy!

P.s.  Vogue magazine--wise call! Glad to see the magazine has standards.  Miley Cyrus is growing up but is still finding herself.

Last week was one of those moments where I was counting the days before I headed out to meet someone who I have held in high esteem --a famous figure in her own right.  No she's not a singer, or movie actress. Even better, she's an author.

Christine Michaels & Gwen Cooper

Meeting your favorite author is a highlight in life. For me it's more celebratory than meeting a  TV personality (with exceptions of course).  Their stories, words can move our hearts, enlighten our minds, make us laugh and/or inspire us to improve our lives and those around us.  I consider myself very fortunate to have met the authors of  my favorite books, all non fictional. I have three favorite books. Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir,
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and now Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper.  The first two are heavy drama material but are inspiring on many levels. Stolen Lives shows both the frailty and iron will of the human spirit. Malika Oufkir survived a desert prison for 20 years. In following a routine and exercising her brain daily to stay sane and alert, Malika escaped with her mother and siblings. This book has taught me to be constantly aware of my surroundings and to think fast and logically under pressure. By accident, I discovered that Malika lived in my condo building and soon I organized an Oprah- style interview in our party room and invited residents.



Greg Mortenson, in Three Cups of Tea is fighting terrorism abroad by building schools and educating girls in a country, Pakistan, that regards them merely above slaves. He made a promise to local villagers who saved him from an accident following a mountain climbing excursion, to return the favor and he did.  Little did Mortenson realize that by educating girls, Pakistanis would regard him as a hero and turn against the Taliban and other terrorists.  Mortenson, in my opinion deserved the Nobel Prize. Instead newly elected US President Obama received the award in 2008. While I have great respect for the Presidency, I am unclear as to his contribution to mankind.

Education is key to many societal ills.  Sometimes throwing millions of dollars to a government run program is less effective than an entrepreneurial program with less funding. Greg Mortenson's schools for girls is proof. I had the honor of meeting Greg in 2010. 



On March 28, 2013 I finally met my third favorite author. Gwen Cooper is a native Miamian  and overturned a taboo subject into a NY Times Bestselling book--a single woman living with three cats.  In the 90's living with more than two cats was frowned upon. But Gwen has a big heart and when the vet asked if she would a adopt a third cat, a blind, black kitten, she shunned society's labels.  Gwen was compassionate, not crazy.

Homer is the blind, black cat and in Homer's Odyssey, Gwen tackles stereotypes and educates readers:


1. about the unique essence of cats; they are not all aloof and scaredy cats
2. that black cats are sweet-natured and extremely intelligent and not bad luck; quite the opposite
3. how blind cats are not entirely handicapped; Homer would freely jump from great heights!
4. that a single woman with more than one cat is not a lonely woman and can lead a healthy, robust life.

My review years ago offers a more in-depth glimpse.

Gwen's book caught my attention the same time I moved into a new development where I discovered many stray cats in the neighborhood. I had heard about stray cats but never lived in a city in "depressed" conditions.  Homer's Odyssey inspired me to continue educating the public about the misconceptions of stray, feral and black cats to save them from becoming road kill or from the doom of the county shelter.

Her book was light-hearted, easy-to-read and made me laugh innumerable times.

And she recently launched "Love Saves the Day", an endearing fictional but enlightening story about an estranged mother and daughter. Hauntingly beautiful, heart touching, and at times painfully raw, this is a story about grief, hope and healing. It’s a story about the importance of memories, and of preserving a part of one’s past. The relationship between mother and daughter is complex but even deep rifts can be mended even after death. The simple presence and unconditional love of a pet, a cat, often like a child,  is greater than love spoken with words.  This book will stay with you long after you turn the final page.




These books collectively have given me the courage to take on a subject that is critically void of awareness and education. But I'm not afraid of a challenge and my mother always taught me to give back. Volunteering and helping others has always been part of my life. I truly believe if each person volunteered weekly or donated to a cause regularly the world would be a much better place.There would be more understanding, empathy, compassion and progress.

Here's to making the world a better place!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


simply click on any of the book images above, ORDER YOUR COPY (or any other product on Amazon) and my nonprofit Pawsitively Humane, Inc. receives a small proceed.  

**You must use these links to order so we get the credit.** 

Be sure to visit our nonprofit www.pawsitivelyhumane.org and use the Amazon banner links for any of your Amazon orders.  It's an easy way to help homeless cats and dogs just by starting your purchasing process with our site.

As a marketing professional I love to watch the SuperBowl mostly for the commercials. While I no longer work at an ad agency, it certainly serves as inspiration for campaigns for my own small company.

Creating an ad that is both memorable and impacts sales is extremely difficult.  Creative design reps and account executives huddle in rooms sometimes on oddly shaped chairs or bean bags with a multitude of snacks ranging from popcorn to pizza to soda and the brainstorm sessions commence, lasting hours.  Fumes seeping out of the door hinges.

Kudos to the agencies behind these popular and memorable advertisements. 

So here are my favorites and apparently my first three selections echoes that of American viewers. Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below!

#1 Budweiser, “Landslide”
Budweiser's use of Clydesdale horses is a perennial favorite of mine and for many viewers. How? Why? Well deep down Americans love animals and the reunion of a horse, a pet,  an animal with which we formed a special bond, pulls hearts strings. We can relate to unconditional love. Admittedly it still makes me cry. But then again, I do work with animals. (My other job. www.pawsitivelyhumane.org). On the marketing side, Anheuser- Busch simultaneously launched a social media campaign to name the foal featured in the ad.  It was a viral hit.  Click here to learn what name America named the new baby Clydesdale.



#2 Tide, “Miracle Stain” 
A little humor goes a long way; While other attempts are scored as "cheesy", this commercial hits the mark. A San Francisco fan spills nachos on his jersey only to find the resulting stain resembles 49ers legend Joe Montana. As pilgrims — a/k/a Niners fans — flock to Montanaland to pay homage, his wife (a Ravens supporter) gets the last laugh when the offending stain is removed thanks to Tide.



#3 Dodge Ram: So God made a Farmer 
I'm a sucker for pets and patriotism. This ad had me choked up. It wasn’t flashy or filled with special effects, but Dodge Ram’s Super Bowl commercial that featured the late radio broadcaster Paul Harvey’s tribute to U.S. farmers won the hearts and minds of viewers Sunday night.

The two-minute spot featured a series of stark photos of farmers at work.  Along with a montage of still images, Harvey’s distinctive voice delivers the narration: his “So God Made a Farmer” speech, which he gave in 1978 at the National Future Farmers of America Convention.  He died in 2009 at age 90.




#4 Best Buy: Amy Poehle
This caught my attention for the humor and Amy Poehle plays the perfect neurotic customer while the Best Buy employee politely follows her around. OK so we know that Best Buy sells electronics, washer and dryers, tablets, etc. Who doesn't know?  However the commercial falls short and only emphasizes the weakness of these chain stores--the employees often don't know the answers for a host of product questions, hence the employee never gets a word in. Well at least it was entertaining.




#5 Taco Bell: Party Seniors
So it's not realistic (along with 90% of the ads) but I love to dance and eat Taco Bell late at night. Except most are closed after midnight. Maybe by the time I'm 70, Taco Bell will stay open until 3am. Nightclubs and parties in Miami end at 6am. 



#6 Got Milk: The Rock 
As a former fitness trainer and one who knows healthcare would be less costly in our country if Americans improved their lifestyle and eating habits, I love this commercial. It's hip, fun, humorous and gets across a clear message. Do you drink milk?


Yes, the SuperBowl is a form of entertainment on various levels. So even if you don't follow football closely like me, the commercials are another competition. 

So which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below!