Archive for August 2015
Dirt Mountain
With the entire beach – sand and water and toys – available to them, my children are naturally drawn to the thrill of a pile of dirt.
Read MoreWhen in Brazil, go see Judy.
I met a person in Brazil named Judy. If you ever travel to Sao Paulo and need a fascinating person to guide you, Judy is the person to hire. She is a Canadian who has been living in Brazil for almost a decade after having spent the previous decade backpacking solo in more than 40…
Read MoreObservations from a week in Brazil
Brazil was only the second country outside the United States that I visited, so some of my observations may apply to many other places and probably do. But in terms of my experiences, here is a list of notable observations from my recent trip to Brazil: Dessert is a big deal in Brazil. It’s eaten…
Read More“Hate is a strong word.” It’s also not so strong a word. So let’s stop saying otherwise.
Can we all agree that “Hate is a strong word” is a statement that never needs to be said ever, ever again? First, it’s not exactly a new concept. In fact, it’s used so often that it’s become a reflexive retort for some people. Yes, we all know that hate is a strong word. We…
Read MoreReading & Writing podcast interview
A while ago, I was interviewed by Jeff Rutherford for his Reading & Writing podcast. It’s a 30 minute conversation about my writing process, productivity, and many other things.
Read MoreFive of my more anomalous wedding anomalies (i.e. strangest clients ever)
I have worked as a DJ at more than 400 weddings over the past 19 years, including: A groom’s first and second wedding (different women each time) My ex-girlfriend’s wedding My other ex-girlfriend’s wedding My wife’s ex-boyfriend’s wedding My ex-wife’s ex-husband’s wedding (where I also served as the minister)
Read MoreSlate’s The Gist appearance: Where to Find the Best Stories
My most recent appearance on Slate’s The Gist features my secret for finding great stories in your life, and even if you’re not a storyteller, for changing your life for the better forever.
Read MoreLip-syncing made hilarious
I’m not sure who is funnier here; The guy lip-syncing the songs or the annoyed woman sitting beside him. Either way this video brought great joy to my heart.
Read MoreA hidden penis is always a problem
My kids were playing in the backyard with the hose. Clara, my six year-old daughter shouts: “Charlie, I can’t spray your penis because I can’t see it!”
Read MoreMy former students occupy such important spaces in my life
There have been so many unexpected benefits to my teaching career, but none have been more surprising than the lifelong relationships that I have established with so many of my students. I first got to know these people as seven or eight or ten year-old children, and so many of them are now adults who…
Read More