Archive for September 2019
I’m not stopping.
I’ve always thought that “No right turn on red” signs were stupid and therefore entirely optional. I’m sure there is some reason why particular intersections have been deemed too dangerous to allow right turns on red, but I’m also sure that this is nonsense. Not unlike the addition of a four-way stop signs at an…
Read MoreHello world!
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Read MoreThree strange medical stories
In the spirit of “If something strange is going to happen, it’s probably going to happen to me” comes three medical anomalies that have occurred to me in just the last seven years. I receive the pneumonia vaccine. Did you even know that the pneumonia vaccine existed? I didn’t, and most people don’t. But after…
Read More21 + 3 Parenting Truths
Behold! My list of 21 + 3 truths about parenting. If you find any item on my list offensive, insulting, or somehow unfairly critical of your own parenting decisions, please remember that although I refer to these items as truths, the only real truth is that this is just a list of my opinions about…
Read MoreGrapes and novels: New ways of prying money away from the wealthy
Business idea: The manager of a chain of hotels in Japan recently spent 1.2 million yen, or roughly $11,000, for 24 grapes. It sounds crazy, but expensive, specialty-grown fruit of unique appearance or intense taste is a trend in Japan, used as gifts, or in this case for promotional purposes, Guest at the hotels will…
Read MoreAmanda Caverzasi: “Did He Just Call Me a Mother?”
On episode #64 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow-up segment, we read a listener’s email about diversity in storytelling, and we discuss our previous storytelling show and upcoming retreats. STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020 November 2: Great Hartford Story Slam, Hartford Flavor Company November 9: Sara Kaplan: Champion of…
Read MoreOffense kleptomaniacs
Someone recently introduced me to a term that I like a lot: Offense kleptomaniacs These are people who – no matter what was intended – will take offense, often unjustifiably. You say one thing. They hear another. You do one thing. They see another. In my life, offense kleptomaniac often lift their ugly heads when…
Read MoreMany traditions are kind of stupid. Some are epically stupid.
Residents in the town of Nejapa in El Salvador have been commemorating a volcanic eruption in 1658 which destroyed the town by hurling fireballs at each other. Yes, that’s right. Residents take to the streets with gasoline-soaked rags and hurl them at one another. Check it out. If you like this video, go to YouTube.…
Read MoreWhy are they wearing makeup?
I was watching the first NFL game of the season on Thursday night – Green Bay versus Chicago – happy to see that football was back at last. As the network returned from commercial at the beginning of the second half, the cameras focused first on the two booth announcers – legendary commentator Al Michaels…
Read MoreParking lot artist
I pulled into the parking lot at my daughter’s middle school last night for their annual Open House. I circled the lot, looking for a parking spot and finding none. I circled again. Still nothing. I was so happy. Once of my favorite things in the world to do is create a parking spot where…
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