Things were better in the good old days. Lately all we hear about is the terrible economy, our involvement in conflicts in foreign countries, our public representatives involved in embarrassing sex scandals and the increasing and bitter division between political parties that threatens...

1. Focus on things in life you can't control. Seek to control those things anyway. Fail. Repeat.


2. In detail and with thoroughness, work out how these things which are out of your control will make your life harder, rip you off, treat you unfairly and generally create...

You may have seen him on Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update," or as a talking head on VH1's regrettably canceled Best Week Ever. But John Mulaney continues to tour the country doing stand-up comedy, now bringing his blend of charming and awkward to the Punch Line Comedy Club in San...

Truth be told, I doubt my wife would have married me had she not heard stories and fables long ago chronicling both my microphone and turntable viciousness.

Thankfully for me, I'm Imp the Dimp and she, like most women, fights for my delight, me being their pimp and all....

all text and images copyright nikolebeckwith

Ten little Republicans, all in a line,
discussing foreign policy one at a time.
They lambaste Obama as socialist slime
inadvertently refuting intelligent design.

They all agree that the Islamic threat
is even more fearful than the national debt.
They couldn't tell Shia from Sunni, I'll bet.
...

[Deep inside a large white house, there is counseling...]

"Do I have to lie down?"

"Not at all, Mr. President! Not at all! Whatever is comfortable for you."

"Good -- then I'll sit."

"Sitting is fine, Mr. President. Just think of it as...

Yes, Michele Bachmann used the recent GOP debate in New Hampshire to announce she was running for president, but she also made a video for the web announcing she was running for president. Here's to hoping she announces she's running for president every single day for the rest of her...

If I were ever to fall in love, I think a sheer indication of absolutely no future would be if he asked me to marry him and have a wedding. The guy must be on crack if he thinks such a request would make me 'happy'. And I don't...

Once again, legendary women's softball pitcher Jennie Finch has given birth to a baby boy and sadly, I was not involved in any way. No photos of the child have been released, but he probably resembles a combination of Jennie...

...and a man that can only be described...

With several states around the country undercutting workers' rights and passing anti-collective bargaining laws, AFL-CIO has come out swinging on many fronts, including the comedic one. Check out these three videos produced by AFL-CIO in coordination with Laughing Liberally and Vaguely Qualified Productions. I was thrilled to help write them....

JUNE 20, 2011, NEWS UPDATE

Bipartisan group of Congressmen sues President Obama over Libya, accusing him of violating War Powers Act by not seeking Congressional authorization for use of military force. White House responds by pointing out US involved in "humanitarian bombing" in Libya, not war. Besides, White...

Last week I was among hundreds who gathered in downtown Los Angeles, having been summoned for jury duty. It was my first time in awhile -- I've been out of town a lot -- and, with a political background, was intrigued to be part of the judicial process.

It's also...

Here's a remarkable Father's Day video, courtesy of the inventive mind of Clay Weiner. No preamble is needed -- it pretty much speaks for itself.

Happy Father's Day, everyone.

For the first time in the history of the world contest for coldest dog nose, a Scottish terrier has won.

The dog, Gruff, recorded a nasal temperature of somewhere between 99 and 102.5 F. Celsius 37.2 to 39.2.

His owner, Ingmar Bergman, said, "Ever...