During a comedy podcast I was listening to on Apple Podcast earlier this week, the host and his guest were riffing about Triscuit crackers vs. Wheat Thins. The riff was kind of funny, but not particularly memorable. It was about 5 minutes in an hour long podcast. Later that evening, I opened up YouTube and…
Author: Steve Ainslie
We’re Already Avatars
Science fiction movies often portray people as part human and part robot. In the Terminator, I-Robot, Ex-Machina and others, robots are often indistinguishable from human beings (until their super powers or lack of human emotions are revealed). Many years ago, I read stories of “enhanced” humans written by Isaac Asimov where people lived for hundreds…
$8000 Sofa!
FedEx unloaded a bunch of boxes at my neighbors across the street few days ago. The boxes had “Love Sac” printed on them. Curiosity got the better of me so I googled it. Love Sac makes modular furniture – think sofas that you can configure any way you want like L shapes, U shapes, extra…
Best In Show
When I was in high school, the senior yearbook was a big deal. It included class photos for all the homerooms, professionally shot individual color headshot photos for that year’s graduating class, pictures of sports teams, activities and events. One of everyone’s favorite sections was “Most Likely/Best”. Students vied to get selected for that year’s:…
Tribes
If you haven’t read Sebastian Junger’s book “Tribe”, I highly recommend it. In it he writes eloquently about meaning, purpose and connection we find when we’re part of a tightly knit group of people. This spoke to me, because I’ve been fortunate to have been part of several tribes during my life. As a small…
Price Of Admission
June has been a costly month. My annual bills for Auto, Home and Liability Insurance are due. My car registration with NC’s ridiculous “property tax” fee is due. I had an unexpected foot injury that cost me several hundred dollars to treat and resulted in me purchasing 4 pairs of running shoes. I found termites…
Anonymously Yours
People who knew me “back in the old days” might be surprised out how open I am in discussing my personal life and thoughts in my posts. I used to be a very private person who kept my thoughts to myself and only the closest people in my life (my wife and occasionally friends). I…
Parental Support
A guy in his mid 30s bought the house down the street from me about a month ago. My neighbor said he hasn’t moved in yet because he’s doing some upgrades to his place first. My neighbor told me she met his mother, who helped her son find and buy the house. I’ve seen this…
Golden Silence
I have a friend who like to talk – a lot. Whenever he’s bored, lonely, anxious or afraid, he sends texts or calls. If I’m unavailable, he has an entire list of friends he’ll blast until someone responds. He’s an over-communicator who has a need to discuss and hash out what’s in his head. That’s…
Love Is Action
When I was a teenager, the word “love” seemed so powerful and important. I fell head over heels for my first girlfriend, Pam. I absolutely loved her. But I never said it to her during the 2 months that we were together. Why? Because I didn’t know any better, I suppose. I loved her. I…