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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION USES GOOD MANNERS

November 8, 2023 by

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 […]

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BLUE SKIES IN THE BOOK REVIEW MIRROR

August 31, 2023 by

Blue Skies came to me via Twitter. T.C. Boyle mentioned a new novel and he delivered. What he delivered felt a little too close to home for me, which kept me reading. How close?

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INTERCONNECTION BLOGGER FOR CLIMATE DUBIOUS

July 21, 2023 by

We need an interconnection blogger to sell climate change to the disbelievers. The scientists aren’t getting it done. Celebrities are trying but coming up short. Where is that blogger to tie it all together?

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READING BOOKS IS A PROBLEM?

July 17, 2023 by

Why is reading books a problem? Because people read the wrong books. But what’s the difference between the right book and the wrong book? Jimmy knows, so let’s ask Jimmy:

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START WRITING BECAUSE ‘YOU NEVER KNOW’

June 19, 2023 by

Start writing because you have a story that needs telling. By you.

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‘THE PLOT’ THICKENS: A BOOK REVIEW

May 26, 2023 by

The Plot is the first book I’ve read that includes Facebook and twitter as important characters. No that’s not a spoiler. Neither is this: they’re cast in a dark light. Did I enjoy reading The Plot? A reviewer on Amazon said the first third drags along but that’s the part I most enjoyed.

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BETTER LIFE BEGINS WITH _____

March 31, 2023 by

A better life begins right where you are, not over there. Or there, or there, but right where you are, which might be the reason change is so hard. The funniest thing I’ve heard about making a change is, “We haven’t done anything and we’re fresh out of ideas.” But that’s not you? Let’s be […]

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WRITING SUCCESS THAT DOESN’T SUCK EVERY DAY

January 23, 2023 by

Asking anyone about their writing success is like asking if they won anything on their trip to Las Vegas. Everyone’s a winner when they get back home. “Best trip ever. Paid for itself.” Along with other various and assorted bulls!t. Writing success is easier to track, easier to explain, yet still a gamble.

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LOVE LETTERS WRITTEN AND READ

January 13, 2023 by

Who saves love letters? Better yet, who writes love letters? I’ve done both, and if you’re older than thirteen, so have you. So, where are they? Try and remember.

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READING OUT 2022: TOP POSTS ON BOOMERPDX

December 31, 2022 by

Reading out 82nd Ave in Portland Oregon leads the list. Instead of looking like a tired stretch of New Jersey road with Bruce Springsteen sitting on his daddy’s lap as he steered through town, 82nd was a magical fairly tale in 2022. Did I mention magical? I called it Dream Street. That’s what it was […]

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