Things I love: I never did drugs because I was worried about breaking the law and getting busted. I don’t like smoking. I’m squeamish at the thought of injecting myself with a needle. Looking back, I’m very fortunate that I never tried heroin, meth, cocaine or speed. What if I liked them? I was thinking…
Like A Warm Blanket
I started reading the Spenser detective series over 20 years ago. I think I discovered it at the Mystery Lover’s Bookshop in Oakmont, PA. After reading a few of his books, I was hooked. I wasn’t expecting this because I remembered watching the “Spenser for Hire” TV show from the ’70s and not liking it….
Don’t Warn Me About The Next Pandemic
I refuse to read books, articles or news stories (or listen to podcasts) asking, “Are we prepared for tenet pandemic?” The answer is always – no. Then the expert goes into detail about our lack of investment, investigation and public health policies. They highlight how we messed up during the Covid pandemic, how certain Asian…
Shamer-tainment
A kiss camera at a Coldplay concert last week showed a happy couple on the jumbo screen smiling and hugging. When the couple realized they were on camera, the woman immediately hid her face and the man turned away as the lead signer of Coldplay joked, “Either they are really shy or they’re having an…
Class Shortage
In the real world, I find that most people exhibit a high degree of class, kindness and respect. I am frequently impressed with the kindness, courtesy and grace I observe everyday from neighbors, commuters, service workers, pool patrons and others whom I see regularly. People stop to help someone whose car breaks down. They hold…
Why I Don’t Use TikTok
The main reason I don’t use TikTok is because “What If I like it?” I have heard stories, read articles and listened to personal anecdotes of how addictive TikTok has become for teenagers and adults. Even the “oldsters” like me who use TikTok talk about how great the algorithm for serving up videos that match…
How To Find Love
I’ve been thinking and dreaming about my wife a lot lately. Most of the dreams have been pleasant with us doing ordinary things today like we did when we were were younger and happy (and alive, in her case). I miss those days. Dating, love, family and relationships are discussed on almost every podcast I…
They Are Going To Get Away With It
Watching the blatant hypocrisy, in-your-face grifting and lying by Trump and his sycophants is infuriating for people who don’t support him. Watching the gerontocracy, the hypocrisy, insider trading, nepotism and blatant lying of the Democratic elite generates a similar emotional reaction among the people who don’t support the Democrats. Is there waste, fraud and abuse…
Finding Meaning And Purpose
I’ve been listening to a bunch of financial independence/early retirement podcasts lately and have noticed a common theme among people who retired in their 40s, 50s and even early 60s: They are struggling to find meaning and purpose. Like me, many had been ambitious career go-getters. Unlike me, all of them graduated from college, many…
Four Old Men
My 40th year high school reunion is coming up in 2026. I was curious to see if there would be one. As far as I know, my class of ’86 has not had any official reunions yet. Since we had several hundred students and 40 is kind of a big year, I though there might…