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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 […]

AUTHORITY BLOGGER? COME ON, MAN

Am I an authority blogger because I say so? An Alpha Male on my own recognizance? In ordinary online discourse, yes. So why don’t I make my claim? I mean, shouldn’t I? I’ve got a few thoughts.

BIRTH WATERS: YOUR RIVER, LAKE, OR BAY. OKAY, AND OCEAN

Birth waters are usually called ‘breaking waters.’ I’ll get back to that. For now let’s say “Birth Waters,” and leave the amniotic fluid for later. Let’s throw in some suspension of disbelief while we’re at it, okay?

BAY BOY: FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO COOS BAY WATER

One or my favorite writers traveled across the country from California to New York. He called the Hudson “the river of his birth” which got me going. You can tell if you have a favorite author if they ‘get you going.’ I thought of the river of my birth, except it wasn’t a river. It […]

OREGON HISTORICAL BUSINESS

The Oregon Historical Society holds a special place in my heart. I took a temporary job there as a museum guard, a six month assignment to watch over an exhibit called Soft Gold. Six months turned into twenty-odd years before I signed off. It was a dream job from guard, to exhibit worker, to curatorial […]

HUSBAND GOALS, FATHER GOALS 2023

Husband goals? First, get married. Father goals? Then have kids. But what’s next? Let’s start with husband goals.

OREGON ART PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES

Art people live in every state, every country. This map shows state size based on population. Oregon looks pretty small compared to New Jersey. What follows are Oregon art people.

CAR LOVE, OR LOVE CAR

Car love depends on who is in the car. Of course we all love a car we can pack to the rafters and drive down the road. But it’s not about what’s in there, it’s who. After 4100 miles of togetherness I’ve got nominations.

AMERICAN PIE REVIEW

I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buckWith a pink carnation and a pickup truck The song came out in 1971. My older brother had a pickup truck. After he graduated high school it became my pickup truck. But not really.

EVERY DAY IS A FRESH START. WHAT IF IT’S NOT?

That fresh start includes a shower and a shave. Okay, a shower, but keep it short. I felt a fresh start every day on the road for 4100 miles. And then? Husband time.