Kevin needs help
I listen to "The Indicator" — a short, economics-based podcast produced by NPR. On Monday's episode, young Americans trying to decide whether to purchase a car asked an expert for…
Team logos
Washington has a history of choosing controversial names. The Washington Wizards of the NBA were originally the Washington Bullets until 1997, when they rebranded themselves with a name that was…
Thank you!
TIME assets that the thank-you note is not dead. No duh. I wrote more thank-you notes than anyone I know. I'm in the midst of writing more than 75 thank-you…
Another portion of my retirement speech
It turns out that after spending 27 years in the same school — and 25 years in the same classroom — a lot of things can happen. The place becomes…
Friendly’s sad history of sad slogans
A list of slogans from Friendly’s restaurants over the years: 1979–1982 "You're in for a nice surprise." 1985–1989 "There's no place like home." 2010–2013 "Oh, that looks good!" 2011–2012 "High…
The lowest forms of communication
Below are the 13 lowest forms of communication. The worst of the worst. Avoid at all costs. _____________________________________ 1. The demanded apology 2. The absence of a thank-you note complaint…
Best scene of TV all year
Looking for a way to entertain an audience? Pay attention to what everyone else is doing or has done, and choose a different path. The perfect example: This bit of…
Cheat code
Looking for a cheat code in life? Check out this video on the way Americans have spent their time from 1920 through today. It's fascinating. For a long time, Americans…
The boys at the Big Swim Meet
This bit of newspaper was printed circa 1930. It describes the “Big Swimming Meet” at Yawgoog Scout Reservation, the same place where I would spend my summers half a century…
Soccer versus football
A word about the word "soccer." The word "soccer" is a British invention, so the word originates from the place where soccer originated: England Soccer was originally known as Association…