I love her chat and her column. She is so smart and quick. I usually read the chat later instead of live. I once emailed her about a column she wrote, that really struck a nerve with me, and she wrote the nicest note back that same day, complimenting me on something I'd written. So, yeah, I'm a big fan too.

TPS it's funny you posted this b/c your AskMe answers remind me of Carolyn - smart, to the point and dead on. Maybe you should start an advice column. Let me know when you do .. I have a bunch of questions for you!

Awwww, that's sweet of you to say :-D Considering that I've been reading her regularly for years, I'm sure her style influences me.

I was tres skeptical at first, but yeah she really does give good (and entertaining) advice. I liked the answer about being unambitious, and smiled at the paranoid pregnant-sister wine question ("even a French doctor"!).

Does anyone know what the chances are for a reply, or how long it takes most advice columnists to reply?

I love her column too. I like her responses better than "Dear Abby" at times. Carolyn is more to the point.

My wife's an avid follower and never misses the live chat. Just gave me an update about 30 minutes ago, in point of fact.

In contrast, Fridays i turn here and check adult swim.

Meh. I kinda hate her. When I read her column, I picture stuffy old newspapermen wearing suits with leather elbow patches sitting around a polished oak table debating how to attract "those kids today," back to the newspaper. "Why, my good men," says one, "have you heard of that 'keeping it real,' fad? ... Perhaps..."

I rank her up there with pink sparkly shirts that say Spoiled, because, you know, it's hot to be rude. To her credit, she probably hates those shirts as well. Actually, I think her advice has mellowed out quite a bit in recent years, so I might sound like a big stick in the mud right now.

Nevertheless, she replaced "Help Me, Harlan" in the Oregonian, who is nearly the best thing that ever came out of IU-Bloomington. (Yes, I'm counting Subway's Own: Jared.) Harlan's Rejection Diary project is pretty awesome and is a good answer to a big chunk of nerd-borne AskMe relationship questions in it's own right.