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VULNERABLE MEN: “SOMETHING’S IN MY EYE”

Vulnerable men are all over the place. We don’t see them because they don’t want us to know. Here’s a big “THANK YOU” for that. But sometimes it’s the other way around. With the parade of sensitive men recently reduced, I don’t trust my own instincts. William Hurt’s passing was sad news, another example that […]

MUSIC THERAPY: PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR STRESSFUL TIMES

Music therapy comes in so many flavors. Listen to calming tones, or listen clanking tones. Find live music, or play your own. The thing with playing music is you need to practice. But how long should you practice? That long.

FIRST YOU SCREW UP, THEN THE FALLOUT

When you screw up, you know it. At least you should know. Something is broken, or lost, or stolen because of you? After that the decisions start to pile up. Tell others what happened? Admit to your self? Or, pretend nothing happened, nothing to see, and move along. Which one are you?

FOLLOWING ORDERS: A PRIMER

Too many carry the idea that following orders eliminates personal choice. It doesn’t. Remember, when you’re ordered to do something you can do it, or not do it. That’s the first choice; let’s start there. From an experienced order-taker, this is the initial question you ask yourself: ‘Who the hell is giving orders around here?’

STARTING OVER? HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE A WRITER

Looking back, I’ve been starting over every day with a fresh, clean, screen and filling it up, just like today. But, as much as that feels like a new start, it doesn’t have the travel element. In my twenties starting over meant a road trip from one side of the country to the other. Have […]

THE GREAT LEAP FOR SPORTS DREAMS IN PORTLAND

The Great Leap is on stage in downtown Portland, Oregon. It’s a solid jumper, a score for the home team. Who would have guessed four actors could show history so well? And do a basketball game without players and made it feel as real as any last second drama. No fouls called on this play.

NATIONAL SERVICE TAKES MANY PATHS, INCLUDES COMMON NEEDS

National service means serving the national good. Part of the national good is not making people doing the same work sick. An infectious disease like covid brings out the best and the worst. The worst?

CLIMATE WRITING: IS IT HOT IN HERE OR JUST ME?

Climate writing, climate change writing, global warming writing, are all stories to tell. The problem is those telling aren’t doing a very good job. Could I do better? Me? Hell, no. But maybe you could. Maybe you could tell it so it gets under the thick skin of big decision makers? I have ideas to […]

THUNDER ROAD ON NW LOVEJOY, PORTLAND

Thunder Road is a map of the love/hate relationship I’ve felt for Bruce Springsteen since 1975. I love that Bruuuuuce has persevered beyond all expectations. I hate the decision I made when Mary Anne in the Philadelphia clinic invited me along with her friends to see the local phenom across the river in New Jersey. […]

RESPECT MATTERS MORE TODAY? HERE’S WHY

When self respect seems like a forgone conclusion, there’s trouble. “Self respect? Of course I’ve got it, why wouldn’t I?” Here’s the key: If you don’t have respect for others, how can you respect yourself? While you’re thinking about a clever excuse of an answer, let’s keep it simple: You can’t respect yourself if you […]