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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Brilliant comeback
I’m writing a book of advice for kids. Included in the book are comebacks that are both withering and polite. My students love them. They Read More
I haven’t been bored in decades
I don’t understand boredom. How is it possible in a world filled with so much possibility, opportunity, content, and beauty for someone to ever be Read More
Potential friend list
Years ago, I created a Friendship Application — a means of identifying the quality of a potential friend. Looking at it now, it seems unnecessary Read More
Emily Calandrelli, 100th woman in space, refuses to bow to ‘small men on the internet’
Emily Calandrelli, an MIT engineer and TV host known as “Space Gal,” became the 100th woman in space last week. In a video released by Read More
Dissent reduces conformity
I’ve been described by many as a non-conformist. Also disagreeable, unconventional, critical, and obstructionist. I can’t disagree, even though I’m inclined to disagree. In fact, Read More
I live to fight another day
I told my students that due to weather and travel complications on a snow day, I had only slept for three hours the night before. Read More
Spiders are evil
A spider is living in the upstairs hallway. Clara has named him Frank after Frank Marshall, the director of the film “Arachniphobia.” She’s a ridiculous Read More
My favorite part in “Bambi”
A woman beside me on the plane looks at my phone. I’m watching an SNL parody of “Bambi.” She says, “Oh! You’re watching Bambi?” She Read More
Sunlight can only be pictured with shadows
Diary entry of James Webb Young, advertising executive and, two years after writing this entry, Advertising Man of the Year. Sunday, October 25, 1942 Every Read More
A word filled with predators
I’m listening to an audiobook production of “Sandman” by Neil Gaiman. I was especially excited about pressing play on this particular audiobook. “Sandman” is a Read More
My choice of teacher
In a recent interview, I was asked, “If you could choose anyone to teach your own children, what kind of person would you want?” I Read More
McRib sauce is a premium product
Last week, McDonald’s sold 500 half-gallon containers of its McRib barbecue sauce online for $19.99. The sauce — with a label dressed up like a Read More
Resolution update: November 2024
Every month, I report the progress of my yearly goals to monitor progress (or the lack thereof) and hold myself accountable. I’ve also begun the Read More
Unacceptable theater behavior
Later today, the family and I will journey to the movie theater to see Moana 2. A new survey asked Americans about potentially divisive behaviors Read More
Everything happens for a reason…
“Everything happens for a reason…” I hate these five words. Do you know who says them most often? White people. Americans. Citizens of first-world nations. Read More
In every small way, find a way.
I bumped into someone last night while shopping — a friend who told me he was feeling despair over the state of the world. He Read More
Fastballs “The Way” is based upon what?
When it comes to music, I have always been a lyric person. I pay attention to the words. I pay close attention to the words. Read More
Not quite from nothing…
While discussing how tiny seeds grow into enormous trees, Clara shouted: “That’s kind of like you, Dad. You came from nothing!” I appreciated the sentiment, Read More
Million dollar banana
In 2019, artist Maurizio Cattelan created “Comedian,” which consisted of a single banana duct taped to a wall. It first appeared at Art Basel Miami Read More
What is something someone who has never been poor wouldn’t understand?
Someone named Precious Michael on Threads asks, “What is something someone who has never been poor wouldn’t understand?” As someone who struggled in poverty for Read More
