When I met my wife, I was introduced to an entirely new vocabulary – Yiddish. I was born in a small impoverished coal town in Eastern Pennsylvania that was populated by immigrants from Ireland, Germany and Scotland with a smattering of Pennsylvania Dutch people. Then I moved to Pittsburgh and learned Pittsburghese ‘nat. So I…
Painting After A Break
After not painting since last year, I started again this week. I had stopped because I ran out of ideas for paintings. Plus my walls were filled with 100 paintings, most of which I liked. So, after a few months of looking at my supplies gathering dust, I put away my brushes, paints and easel….
Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is
An old friend called me yesterday to gauge my interest (and softly recruit me) to join his company. The potential position is about as ideal as I could possibly imagine. It’s local. I know the leadership team. I respect them and have worked with all of them before. The company is well funded and growing….
My Achy Breaky Shoulder
This week, I got the 3rd Pfizer Covid vaccine – aka the booster shot. It’s been six months since I had the 2nd shot. My first shot gave me no measurable side effects other than a sore shoulder at the injection site. It felt like someone had knuckle punched me there for about 3 days….
Balancing Act
Many people say they are looking for balance in their lives. Usually they mean work/life balance. I don’t believe this is possible – instead I follow the 150% rule. Lately I’ve been thinking about balance in my personal life. I still don’t think I have it. Nor do I want it. I prefer to focus…
I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me
Every time I open Safari on my laptop, Apple displays a privacy report summary that shows how many trackers it blocked from tracking me. If I look at the report and websites, I always find a few surprises. Last week, as I reviewed the report here’s what I saw: Dozens of trackers with names I’ve…
August 2021 Update
I have been writing and drumming every day. I’m back to working out at a decent intensity and volume – about 85% vs. pre-surgery. I’m swimming at 100% and it feels great. I’m looking for something good to read. The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov was recommended and I’m on the library’s waitlist to get…
This Is Normal
A good friend of mine was telling me how abnormal his life has been. Five years ago he moved into his parent’s home to help care for his elderly father who had ALS. For three years, my friend and his mother nursed his father until he passed away. This was an all-consuming labor of love….
Losing Interest In Fantasyland
Ever since I learned to read when I was four, I’ve been a rabid reader of fiction. First I read children’s books like Dick and Jane, Harry the Dirty Dog, Flat Stanley and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. By the time I was in first grade, I was checking books out from the town library and borrowing…
Hernia Recovery and The Covid Delta Surge
I am almost fully recovered from my hernia surgery last month. I’m working out at 90-95% of my pre-surgery capacity and intensity and feel fantastic. I have occasional surface level scar pain and the site is still puckered – but that will take months to recede. After preparing myself to expect a recovery similar or…