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FANCY PEOPLE, BUT NOT TOO FANCY

My wife and I are not fancy people, but one of us is more than the other. As it should be, as long as it’s not me. I’ve seen fancy and come away with the same feelings each time: No Thanks.

SETTLED RULES = LAW OF THE LAND

When settled rules are ignored they get angry. Common courtesy wants to fight. Good manners want a go in the octagon. Eventually things calm down in what I understand is called ‘normalized’, as in: The New Normal.

CHOPPED CHAMPIONS WITH LIFE LESSONS

Chopped champions get crowned at the end of the Chopped show on Food Channel. It’s a cooking competition that begins with four people working with strange food selections. One contestant is chopped after the first course, then one after the main dish, the last after dessert. Everyone finishes on time and no one stabs the […]

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION USES GOOD MANNERS

Manners matter, good manners, if your aim is for effective communication. Steady eye contact and active listening nods and acknowledgment are part of the deal, but don’t stare unblinking like a psycho. Also, “Yup, yup, yup,” and “okay, okay, okay,” are not examples of active listening. Unless you do it ironically, but only if you’re […]

CHOOSING SIDES: IT’S MORE THAN SHIRTS vs SKINS?

The secret to choosing sides? Sometimes you don’t choose, you get chosen, picked. Then you find yourself standing on one side of a line. How do you make sure it’s the best side for you when you know the other will eventually look better?

SNAP, CRACKLE, POP: WAKING UP OLD AND MOBILE

Fight waking up old by not moving? Oh those magic moment between sleep and awake. You could be any age at any place and be a vital force. So you don’t move to enjoy the moment as long as it lasts. Then you swing out of bed. Your back cracks. Take a step and your […]

THAT PORTLAND?

What You Won’t See Won’t Bother You. The truth is you need Portland and Portland needs you. When you move here, take a good look in the mirror. You are the ‘new blood.’ You will ‘make a difference.’ You will ‘change things’ by your presence. Soon enough you notice other new people making a difference […]