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SCREEN SPACE vs AIR TIME: BEING HELPFUL

What are the goals of screen space and air time? Fill them up. That’s the primary goal. Secondary goals are making sense, being interesting, and ultimately trying to be helpful. I’m helpful. Which isn’t a way of asking, ‘Are you helpful?’

NEEDED CHANGE BEGINS WITH . . . ? VOTING

‘Needed change?’ Just repeating the words lends a sense of urgency. Something goes wrong? Something’s not right? Someone’s got a better idea? What about that ‘better idea?’

LOVE STORY WITH CLOSING DOORS AND WINDOWS

The love story in The Last Rave is a warning. But a warning for who? From a gender perspective it’s a warning for women who want more from their guy. Turns out some guys have bigger problems than women who want them to want more with them.

YOU WANT ME TO WANT TO?

In Patrick DeWitt’s novel French Exit, the mom asks her thirty-two year old son to get something for her. “Please bring me my cup.” “I will if you want me to.” “I want you to want to.” And he obeys. So I ask . . .

THE DAY AFTER TODAY IS THE BEST DAY, OR IS IT TODAY

I grew up thinking good times were the day after I first heard about ‘delayed satisfaction.’ People who wanted it all, and wanted it now, were not realistic. What do you want? All. When do you want it? Now. Why didn’t that work out for me? I had brothers and sisters.

INTERNET SHOWTIME SATURDAY WITH A SIDE OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

I’m a big fan of internet showtime, the daily scroll. But I keep it simple. I’m not looking for verification, authentication, or validation. Not looking for lawyers, guns, or money. What I’m looking for is attention grabbing posts, videos, and stories. Make me pause. Is that asking for too much?

SISTERS BROTHERS BOOK, MOVIE, AND MORE

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt spooked me from the moment it showed up. What kind of tricky title was that. Would it be about brothers and sisters, sisters who wanted to be brothers? I had to find out, and so I did. I picked it up and read it. Then what?

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND OREGON ON A FAMILY SATURDAY NIGHT

Traveling to downtown Portland for a visit, for a look-around? But you’ve seen the news, the tents, the drugs, the crime. So have I. It’s a red flag, but not this time. We took a chance to claim, or reclaim, the Rose City as our own.

LIFE INVENTORY FOR FENG SHUI BLISS

Do the words ‘life inventory’ sound like something you’d do with a counselor? Why not get an early start and see how it goes on your own. Make a list, write it down, and see if you need what you’ve got. Then make a list for what you’re looking for.

RIGHT THING? YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT

Doing the ‘right thing’ used to be easier. Maybe is was because baby boomers didn’t have as many choices for doing wrong? I didn’t see a lot of choices besides ‘Do what you’re told’ growing up. From parents, to teachers, to coaches, scout leaders, and beyond, we were told what to do by people we […]