Author Archives: sheila

Off Campus: Unexpectedly Unexpected

Posted on September 12, 2026 by sheila

On the surface, at least in episode 1 of Off Campus, an 8-episode series on Amazon Prime, based on Elle Kennedy’s 2015 book The Deal, you can predict everything that will happen. College hockey player needs to ace an oral … Continue reading →

Posted in Television | Tagged , | 23 Comments

From the archives (2003): There Was Already Something a Little Off…

Posted on September 11, 2026 by sheila

about that morning. I was running late. Normally I am on the bus, on my way into Manhattan from Hoboken, at 8:45, 9 am. But that morning, I was 20 minutes behind schedule. Because I was late, I decided to … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

September 11, 2001: In Memory of Michael J. Pascuma, Jr.

Posted on September 11, 2026 by sheila

The 2,996 project is an ongoing collective tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I signed up during its first year in 2006. You were assigned a name, at random, of one of the people … Continue reading →

Posted in On This Day, RIP | 40 Comments

Seasonal change shuffle

Posted on September 6, 2026 by sheila

It’s been a while. I used to find putting together these shuffle posts soothing. I’m “writing”, kind of, but I’m not trying to sound a certain way, and the pressure’s off, because the subject matter isn’t up to me. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

R.I.P. Chicken Shop Date

Posted on September 6, 2026 by sheila

I gasped “No!” out loud when Amelia Dimoldenberg announced she was going to retire her web series, Chicken Shop Date, which she started ten years ago as a way to meet new people, go on “dates”, but also to highlight … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Music, RIP | Leave a comment

Dynamic Duo #50

Posted on September 4, 2026 by sheila

Payton Tolle and Dominic Canzone

Posted in Miscellania | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

From the archives (2010): “Go Ask Sheila.”

Posted on September 2, 2026 by sheila

The only time I ever did drugs started with a letter from my ex-boyfriend. We broke up a year before, and it was one hell of a separation, leaving us battered, but unwilling to sever the connection. The ex-boyfriend was … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | 16 Comments

Jackson State choir pays tribute to Dolly

Posted on August 29, 2026 by sheila

I’ve spent the last three days watching choirs from around the world pay tribute to Dolly. I’ve loved hearing all the different arrangements. Yesterday I tripped over a clip on Instagram, the Jackson State University choir singing “Light of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, RIP | Tagged | Leave a comment

Everything’s gonna be all right, it’s gonna be okay

Posted on August 26, 2026 by sheila

Hannah Dasher, a new country artist I adore, whose aesthetic is clearly inspired by Dolly, posted a pic of Dolly on her Instagram with the following note: “now y’all quit blowing up my phone and check on your gays.” Which … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, RIP | Tagged , | 10 Comments

From the archives (2011): How We Talked

Posted on August 25, 2026 by sheila

1. Me: [maybe a month in] “I just mentioned that song to you – and now it’s playing on the radio! Isn’t that so weird??” Him: “Not weird at all. Sheer coincidence.” 2. Him: [3 or 4 years in] “What’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | Tagged , | 18 Comments