Given at a Toastmasters club meeting — I gave my first speech at a Toastmasters meeting, and it was exhilarating. After it was over. It’s easier and as hard as you think it might be, because few things in life are simple. …

You should join — Some people are made to get up on a stage. Their personalities, natures, talents, abilities, education, and experiences set them up for speaking success. I’m not one of those people. If you aren’t already in Toastmasters, you might not be, either. …

The joy of doing nothing — “What are you doing on your vacation?” “Nothing.” “Have any plans for New Year’s Eve?” “No, I’m not doing anything.” “Have you made a New Year’s resolution?” “Nope.” No one has asked why after hearing my replies to any of those questions, but that would be going beyond the limits…

Your mileage may vary — Word placement matters, even if it only tickles our unconscious. In the title, I wrote, “Don’t Really” rather than “Really Don’t”. If you really don’t want to do something I probably can’t help. “Really don’t” creates a much stronger barrier than what I wrote. If you don’t really want to…

It’s a beautiful time to be a geek — The line stretched around three full city blocks to get into the 2022 Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, and it was the most enchanting, fun, and weirdly awesome queue ever. A seemingly endless parade of geekily costumed humans passing by on one side to get to the end of…

Seriously? Seriously. — In the fast-moving world of algorithm changes and customer complaints things may change by the time you read this, but an image search on Google currently has some appalling results. Apparently, Nazis have upped their SEO game. What do you think of when considering desk ornaments? Paperweights? Tiny Zen gardens…

This isn’t just about me, it’s about all of us — “Good riddance” You’re better off. He’s an asshole” “I’m so glad you got out” When you finally summon the courage to leave an abusive marriage, these are the kinds of things some people tell you. Talk about too little, too late. …

I can’t believe I have to ask for it — It’s my birthday today. I’m now 58 years old. Yay me! I don’t feel old, but some days I sure do feel tired. Now, more than ever. It’s not a physical thing. It’s mental and emotional. Like, how are we still dealing with this bullshit in this day and age. …

Believe what they say — When Senator John Cornyn tweeted a reply to Barack Obama’s statement on the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade overturn, he employed lazy, non-contextual thinking to make his remark. He meant to say that Supreme Court precedents have been overturned before, and he’s happy that it’s happened now. It came across…