Who knew that by the time all the serenity prayers had been memorized someone would opt for a hug?  Singapore was recently invaded by a serial hugger.  Known as “Amma” because not everyone has time to say her given name, “Mata Amritanandamyi,” the queen of cuddle from southern India supposedly hugs over a million people a year. The hug-ees border on the euphoric from their three-second embrace. Many say they gain energy.  Others temporarily cast away their chosen faith for this Mid-Eastern manhandling. Amma, translated “mother,” doesn’t seem to tire from her thirty-fifth year of missionary work, even though one news report said the Singapore event saw nearly 2,000 wait in line.

(more…)

There’s been a baby boom in Hollywood.  Have you noticed?  Husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends—and so forths—have welcomed new arrivals.  For some, moral traditions are obviously as important as goggles on a stork.  And even the legits have posed and profited (or profited and posed) with their celebrity babies.  Now few babies are celebrities, but who knows what the future holds for infants who say “cheese” before they say “Da-da.”

(more…)