The Chess League
My son joined his school’s chess club a couple weeks ago. I had been hording this Justice League chess set for just this moment. He loved it! 
Year: 2013
Go Away With … Judah Friedlander
“The United States is a huge country (that in) many ways is like many countries within one,” says actor Judah Friedlander, who also hosts the Nat Geo WILD’s three-part series, “The Monster Project.” “I recommend visiting neighborhoods or cities in your own country that you would never visit. And try the cuisine that is specific to that city.”
Gourds with fangs? Yes, please!
Nothing says Halloween like gourds with fangs, yes? 
While my son was in Korean school, my husband decided to decorate some of them. We used to buy gourds every year around this time, but this fall, we didn’t have to. Thanks to our composting efforts, literally dozens of gourds (and full-size pumpkins) turned up in our garden. What a pleasant surprise!
Go Away With … Jessica Campbell
Jessica Campbell got an early start with road trips. “We grew up making trips to our family vacation house in Cherry Grove, S.C., just outside Myrtle Beach,” says the Nashville-based singer-songwriter. “I loved it! Knowing that it was a house my grandpa built for our family to enjoy made it a very special place.” Currently on tour to promote her album “The Anchor and the Sail,” Campbell’s single “Be You” is available via free download from Crate and Barrel’s “Get the Download” offer (valid through the end of October).
Walking on sunshine
In about a decade, I predict that our ‘hood will be filled with angst, as childhood friends look at each other as possible romantic interests. Nooooooooooooo! But, for now, these kids are good friends whose affections aren’t complicated by gender or jealousy.
Go Away With … Billy Bush
At first glance, it may seem odd that “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush would executive produce a documentary about rhino poaching in Nepal. After all, the television personality is best known for reporting on celebrities. Also, he’s admittedly bug phobic. But he was excited to team up with the World Wildlife Fund in Nepal to tell the story of the endangered one-horn rhinos and what is being done to help protect them from extinction for the Nat Geo WILD documentary “Chasing Rhinos with Billy Bush.”
The Boy Scouts
Our local Boy Scout troop could’ve had an opportunity to learn that there are repercussions to their actions; and that sometimes, the worst action is in pretending that a wrong never happened. Instead, they learned that if they deny something enough, they can get away with being cruel to youngsters and disrespecting members of their community.
Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow
I was surprised that an actor with such a strong improv background couldn’t just wing it and go with the flow. But mostly, I was saddened that a grown man with the privilege of wealth and fame couldn’t think of one place in this vast world that he had enjoyed visiting.
Four Seasons Chicago
There is something to be said for living it up every once in a while, savoring the moment and loosening up the purse strings a bit. On our next road trip, we’ll be back to budget hotels and it’ll be just fine. But, in our memories, we’ll always have the Four Seasons.
Go Away With … Blair Underwood
Fans are used to seeing Blair Underwood playing a variety of roles: a hotshot attorney (“L.A. Law”), a charismatic doctor (“Sex and the City”) and a ruthless businessman (“Dirty Sexy Money”). But in the new NBC series “Ironside,” Underwood tackles the part of wheelchair-bound detective, Robert Ironside — the iconic role made famous by Raymond Burr.
A simple and delicious dinner
One of the things I really love about the onset of Fall is making dinners in the oven. Tonight’s meal was simple, rustic and delicious. Served this with some rice. For dessert, we had strawberries. So good!
Camping or Korean food? It’s a no brainer!
See this picture here? It’s from the first time I went camping. I know what you’re thinking: “But Jae, you don’t seem like the camping type.” I’m not. But at the time, I was dating a great guy and he loved camping. How great of a guy was he? So great that I passed up the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles to interview Keanu Reeves.
Go Away With … Emily Rios
After making an impressive film debut in “Quinceanera,” Emily Rios has compiled quite the list of roles in critically acclaimed productions such as “Friday Night Lights,” “The Closer” and “House.” But the 24-year-old Los Angeles-based actress is best known for playing a reporter on the FX drama “The Bridge,” as well as recovering drug addict Andrea Cantillo on AMC’s “Breaking Bad.
That time I climbed a glacier in New Zealand
So, I was having a conversation with some people the other day about coincidences. And I started off my story like this: “Speaking of coincidences, I ran into someone from my hometown when I was climbing a glacier in New Zealand.” Yeah. I sounded obnoxious. Even by my standards.
“The Big Bang Theory” on Blu-Ray … for free?
OK. So, the 7th season of “The Big Bang Theory” will premier on CBS on September 26. I’ll be watching. Will you? And guess what? I have a copy of the 6th season of the series on Blu-ray (+ DVD + Ultraviolet) to giveaway! #WinWithJae
The “Don’t You” question
In this week’s edition of Anonymous Asked a Question, we get a query about whether I think it’s a good idea to enroll my child in a weekend language school.
Go Away With … Mike Rowe
Best known for his work on the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” Mike Rowe has a resume that may surprise some viewers. Besides doing on-air work as a host for the home-shopping channel QVC and voice work in commercials for companies such as Ford Motor Company, Rowe used to sing with the Baltimore Opera Company. But he says some of the most important work he does is through the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which promotes skilled trades and alternative education.
The best movie never made
This 3-minute commercial is the best movie that was never made. It’s a Thai commercial (and is subtitled)–but you don’t need to read the words to understand what’s going on. Truly moving and inspiring.
What do my clothes say about me?
What do my clothes say about me? Other than the fact that I need to update my wardrobe?