GRIN & BARE IT
Read (and subscribe to) Grin and Bare It, my daily blog on storytelling, productivity, current events, teaching, my family, and other musings.
I have been posting to this blog every day since 2005.
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The myth of the work-life balance
“There is no such thing as work-life balance. Everything worth fighting for unbalances your life.” —Alain de Botton I read this quote and thought, “Yes!” Read More
Jeni is prepared for “Matt & Jeni Are Unprepared” — even if she says otherwise.
Tickets for “Matt & Jeni Are Unprepared” are selling fast. This is our storytelling improv show where Jeni and I compete to craft and tell Read More
These are not “young boys” and “kids.” They are monsters. Nothing more.
If you’re wondering what at least some (but a lot) of young Republicans in this country are saying or allowing to be said absent opposition, Read More
Snapshots of Kids Bike Jumping in the 1970s
In Charlie’s baseball game yesterday, a runner from third was heading home when the catcher received a throw from the outfield and took about five Read More
Know nothing. It’s better that way.
Clara and I went to see “One Battle After Another” last night. I went to the movie knowing nothing about the film. As we sat Read More
“All Well that Ends Well” – depending on the target of your honesty
“I begin to be aweary of thee, and I tell thee so before because I would not fall out with thee” This is a line Read More
Grossest things I’ve ever seen
A student asked another about the grossest thing she’d ever seen. Her response: “What a dumb question.” True, given we were solving math problems, but Read More
Defaulting to mom
In American society, it is often assumed that the mother is the default parent and the first contact for schools and other caregivers over children’s Read More
Magicians’s pants
I was reading aloud to my students when we came upon the word “comeuppance.” “Who knows what comeuppance means?” I asked. There was silence for Read More
Insecure, pathetic, stupid men
This is an absolute truth: Any man who “doesn’t like female comics,” or harasses female comics online, or threatens the physical safety of female comics Read More
The Gloaming
As you probably know, I write the humor column in Seasons magazine. This latest edition — Autumn 2025 — features a story about one of Read More
Unexpected in Montreal
A comic book spotted at a street fair in Quebec City: Croc was a French-language humor magazine published monthly in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from 1979 Read More
Rue Forget
I live on Francis Drive, which is perpendicular to Francis Avenue, which is boring and dumb. Also, it can be occasionally confusing for delivery people Read More
The real luxuries
One of my students asked me why I don’t live in a mansion. “You write books. You tell stories in big places. You’re famous on Read More
I’ve arrived in Taiwan
Behold! The Taiwanese version of “Someday Is Today.” Available in stores in Taiwan soon. I’m keenly aware of the threats China has been making for Read More
Your energy is expensive
Taylor Swift said: “Think of your energy as if it’s expensive. As if it’s a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it. Not everyone has Read More
“Great question” is not so great.
You’re being interviewed on a panel, podcast, or radio show, and you get asked a question. I do quite a bit of this kind of Read More
Like father, like son
About 40 years ago, I learned to tie a necktie while watching Good Morning America. A man was showing viewers how to tie a Windsor Read More
Special teams not being treated so special
I’ve attended hundreds of Patriots games over the years. As a friend recently pointed out to me, I’m exceptionally lucky in this regard. He’s right. Read More
My Google Portrait has gone international
As of today, my Google Portrait is now available in 149 countries (including India, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and the UK). Want to find and tell Read More
