On the Bill Maher show last week, a guest said that the UK having a head of state (monarch) and a separate head of government (prime minister) enabled the country to have one person serve as a symbol of the country and the other as the chief executive of the government. When Maher asked who…
Author: Steve Ainslie
Death of A Stranger
On my way home from a dog walk I saw two police cars on my block. I assumed someone’s burglar alarm went off, since my street is quite sleepy (aside form barking dogs and leaf blowers). Seeing several neighbors gathered on a porch, I asked about the police and learned that a man who lived…
I Don’t Need Your Civil War
Political pundits, news articles and some of my friends have been saying recently that the US is “closer to Civil War” than anytime since the 1800s because our country is politically, socially and economically divided. I’m not the least bit worried about this. I agree that it appears like we are quite divided socio-economically, politically…
Not Brothers In Arms
At some point during the 2 years the I was grieving my wife, I really thought I would find a connection with other widowed men. I perused blogs, podcasts, forums and online groups. I checked out meetups and support groups. I dug into reddit and other grief support forums. I randomly met some widows: My…
Poo Potpourri
It’s the time of year where my neighbors with perfectly manicured lawns do their fall treatments. In addition to applying their monthly poison weedkiller, they aerate, seed and fertilize their laws. I am quite familiar with the process. My wife insisted we do this every year. She was obsessed with having a weed free, beautiful…
A Killer In Bed
Shortly after I nodded off last night Wiggles shot out of the dog door with a bark that woke me up. In my fugue state, I thought I heard a faint “peep” sound, but chalked it up to being awakened unexpectedly from a dream. I waited for a few minutes to hear Wiggles com back…
Mr. & Mrs. Peabody
When we lived in Florida, my wife and I would walk Snickers around the lake in a nearby park each evening before we’d have dinner. It was one of my favorite times of day. The sun would be setting, the temperatures would be slightly cooler and the sky was often magnificent. The lake was serene….
Name Game
I heard someone on a podcast mention that she changed her name when she turned 18. She described the process as fairly straightforward- fill out a form, complete a few clerical requirements, submit it to the state, pay the fees and in time, receive an official change of name document from the state. I never…
Fancy Schmancy
I just found a new dentist, after using the same dentist in Raleigh for a decade. (I wrote why I was leaving my old dentist here.). My old dentist has a state-of-the-art facility. Everything from the potpourri in the waiting room, to there wifi, to the TVs above the dental chairs, to the in-house crown…
School Daze
When I grew up, school attendance was mandatory. It was enforced with military-like codes and harsh penalties. Teachers took role every morning during “homeroom class”. If you were late, for any reason, it was noted. Three lates and you’d be sent to the principal’s office, your parents would be called and you’d get detention or…