The whirling jigsaw cut through the wood like a sharp knife slicing through butter, sending dust and wood chips through the air. The shop teacher watched me closely with a blank stare, but he left me in control of everything. My father had a similar saw at home, but he didn’t like us kids using …
Category: Leadership
We’re all imposters
The guy sitting two tables away coyly opens his smartphone camera and puts it on selfie view so that he can check himself out. When he sees that his hair and game-face are in place, he clicks off the camera. When his lunch guest arrives, he gets up and gives the visitor a strong handshake. …
Telling time
I splurged last night. I bought myself a new watch. It's a finely tuned quartz chronograph with Swiss components and is water resistant to 100 meters. Some people shop and collect clothes. I collect watches. (I should add that most of my watches are moderately priced ones within my limited budget.) In this day and …
Survival of the fittest
I feel fortunate some days to be upright and walking, none the worse for wear. It’s a mean, cruel world out there, but somehow I've survived. Think I'm joking. Here’s some of the things that I’ve survived in my short life: --Playing on 70’s playground equipment. Think metal monkey bars . . . nothing more …
Why I’m a feminist
I’m not sure how it came up over dinner, but when I was a very young kid, my father grumbled about a woman that he worked with at the local steel plant, claiming that she had taken her job from another man. My father’s arms were waving, his voice had gotten louder, and a little …
When I think of my kids
I thought of my daughter today. My sons were there too. They were all young, still in their pajamas and they were all lying on the living room floor, coloring in their coloring books, watching Saturday morning cartoons. I see all three of them clear as day. Two with wispy blond hair, the third with …
What’s your Kryptonite?
In the comic book world, Kryptonite brought Superman to his knees. Superman would be kicking butt and Lex Luther or one villain or another would sneak some Kryptonite onto the scene and all bets would be off. Kryptonite, the green, crystal-like mineral would weaken and sicken Superman. He’d be crushed to his knees. Of course, …
Parenting: Then and now
My hands shook as I got into the car and drove to work. I looked back in the rearview mirror and turned up the volume to the radio in the hopes that my thoughts would get carried away. The morning was your typical morning. I woke up, took a shower and got dressed and ready …
My top-ten list on the benefits of list-making
I’m a man of lists. I love everything about them. How much so? In 400 words or less, I can tell you: --They keep me organized and moving in the right direction. --They satisfy my perfectionist-keep-working-until-you-get-it-right nature. --They’re easy to complete and I like the feeling of checking tasks off. There goes another! --They help …
Continue reading My top-ten list on the benefits of list-making
Looking for some good advice
My 14-year-old son yawned and rolled his eyes. He was getting tired of being lectured. I was getting tired having to remind him to clean up his room, take out the trash and help with family chores. I saw a losing battle and stormed away mad. I walked up the stairs to my bedroom, grumbling …
