I’ve always been a risk taker. When I was a freshman in high school, I took my first commuter train ride into downtown Chicago. A friend had told me I could buy a magazine full of pictures of “pretty girls” at a drug store on State Street. There I was, at age 14, in a …
I didn’t notice it. My friends and colleagues had chosen to give me a pass. They didn’t want to hurt my feelings. Then, last week at the grocery store, a masked lady shopper asked me and my cart to move aside. We were slowing up traffic in the frozen food aisle. …
Why do some of my friends invest precious time with individuals who drive them nuts? As I age, I’m getting better at chasing after only people who bring joy to my life. I hide out from those other guys who leave me on empty. An example: I have a neighbor we’ll call Marty, …
Last night, shortly after dozing off, I started chatting with my friend Mark Twain. He was hanging around Virginia City, Nevada, trying to find a way to make a living. Mark said he was tired of prospecting for gold and silver, then coming up with a bunch of worthless rock. …
Last Thursday night, I was walking down a lonely street in Carson City just after dark. I passed a middle-aged man who was shabbily dressed and was having a chat with himself. I guessed he was African American, or maybe Mexican or Cuban. No big thing – I was busy practicing …
Okay, maybe it’s a jealousy thing. So, there’s another one of these Stanford professor guys who wrote a book about how to change your behaviors. Now I’m stuck on comparing his story and mine. First off, his name is Fogg. Who wants to read a book written by a PhD named …
Every four years or so, I’m invited to do a photo shoot at the Department of Motor Vehicles. I believe they fly in a professional photographer from one of those studios in Los Angeles to make certain they capture my total essence. I thought the COVID-19 lockdown might …
Here is a tip for anyone wanting to celebrate their 75th birthday: Do not do what I have done. I had this silly notion I should go on a hike I had accomplished 10 years ago to prove I’m still the physical specimen I used to be. The hike was on Jumbo Grade, a rocky …
I’ve been attempting to retire for over a decade, and I’ve been a total flop so far. Christine, a new, young employee of The Change Companies®, introduced me to the work of Don Clifton, who is known as the father of strengths-based psychology. She gave me this little book …
I have a favorite song. It was patched together by Jimmy Buffett, inspired by the life of a one-armed pianist, Eddie Balchowsky. The song was released in 1973. I discovered it many years later – and rediscovered it a few days ago. I love it because it tells a life …