The New Theater
We've seen every Oscar-nominate movie and most of the "also-rans" sitting at home and watching various streaming services, occasionally paying $5 or so for the rental. It's comfortable, the bathroom is clean, the floors are clean, dogs are allowed, and
Resolutions to Maintain My Sanity in 2023
• I am not arguing with people who claim they lost a book or a link or notes from years ago and want me to replace them for free. I'm simply sending a note back that all of my material
GAS
There's still a gas station here that's not a cute little minimart. The owner has been running it for 54 years. He has six bays inside, eight pumps outside. The place smells of motor oil, metal filings, perspiration, and perhaps
Always Say Never, Never Say Always
I've been to countries to which I'll never return. There is no need for it was an awful place. I've been to restaurants to which I'll always return because of the great service and food, and if I have a
A Throwback in Time on Delta
A perfectly groomed flight attendant greeted us on the Delta flight from LAX to Boston. She took care of the full first class cabin—in a 757— by herself for the five hours. There were drinks on the ground, meals in
Marshaling Your Strengths
Notre Dame, the #8 football team in the country before yesterday, lost to Marshall University in a tectonic upset. Marshall had been a 14 point underdog, and was playing at Notre Dame's home field. Marshall would make over a million dollars
You Played Well, Though It Was Fortunate the Other Team Was Not Very Good
Passive aggressive behavior is the use of sarcasm, "innocent" comment, and undermining to attack someone else. One of my favorite descriptions (not my creation) is "weaponized kindness." This occurs when one person says, "My child was just accepted into the University
Where Are the Cream-Filled?
At the Jersey shore here, there are always a couple of donut shops open at 7 am with the most amazing home-cooked pastries. The smell alone is incredible. Everyone is polite, waits in line (their old, faded six-foot social distancing
Did You Hear the One About the Sand Dollar, or the Trash Collector at Disneyland?
There's an ancient, hackneyed story in the speaking profession that every poor speaker "steals" and uses. Basically, it's about a stonemason who's asked what he's doing and replies, "I'm laying stones." When a second stonemason is asked the same question,
Service Standards
Last evening I stopped my car in an illegal space for a moment to see if the "no reservations" restaurant had room. They did, and when I returned to the car the valet from another restaurant across the street had