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TO MY DEAR READER, FROM A BLOG

April 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Dear reader is plural, but writers are told to focus on just one person, and since I’m the writer around here . . . Hopefully it’s a focus on the right reader? The last thing I need is learning how my posts led a reader astray. From me to you: DO NOT GO ASTRAY. DON’T […]

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WHAT IS INDOCTRINATION AND WHERE CAN I GET ONE

April 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Welcome to Indoctrination Class. This is your instructor. No, not really, it’s just me after a reader commented on my attempts to sway people, to pull them closer, to my way of thinking. Imagine that. I’m still scratching my head. But, I don’t disagree. I do try and sway people to my way of thinking. […]

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DO WHAT MATTERS BECAUSE YOU MATTER

April 16, 2026 by 2 Comments

When you find yourself asking ‘what really matters anymore’ the correct answer is ‘You matter,’ which isn’t a problem until you start doing weird shit to prove it. Like what? Look around, get the news, and some days it seems like there’s an effort being made to make you feel like you don’t matter. How […]

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GIVING BACK TO PORTLAND STARTS WITH A TOUR GUIDE

April 14, 2026 by

Giving back sounds like something you do just before dying. It’s either the death of the giver, or the death of the receiver. Now I know what you might be thinking: give back, or give up? Neither one fits the bill of the giving back I’m doing, which is?

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PICK A SIDE AND STAY THERE, OR NOT

April 13, 2026 by

What’s the problem when you pick a side? You’re stuck. You talked the talk, walked the walk, then something changed. But you’re stuck. Either stay on the bus as it goes off the bridge, or hit your eject button.

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COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN, ONLINE VERSION. CHEERS

April 10, 2026 by

Communication breakdown happens when online behemoths find themselves on the wrong side of a tech case. Tech case? What else do you call instagram and YouTube but marvels of modern technology? One way or another the two of them navigated through competition and mergers and acquisitions so some kid can take an endless scroll to […]

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ONE PFC’S INTERNATIONAL OPINION: NATO

April 6, 2026 by

As an Army veteran from the mid-1970’s I’ve had time to work up an international opinion on NATO. Reading history is one thing; reading history after wearing the uniform is a whole nother level. Racing up the promotional ranks to the heights of private first class brings it home. The low ranks are the gravel […]

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MADE IN FOR THE WIN

April 1, 2026 by

Made In cookware made it to my house in a roundabout way. When I called customer service there was nothing roundabout about it. I was left wishing every exchange could be so welcoming. Here’s how it went:

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GROWING UP NEVER STOPS

March 30, 2026 by

Remember the promise about growing up? “You’ll understand when you grow up.” “Things will be different when you grow up.” Now that you’re all grown up, how’s it going?

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RETIREMENT TIME OPENS DOOR FOR THINGS AND STUFF

March 29, 2026 by

Everyone’s’ retirement time is unique, no one matches any other. For some it’s a big party at work with a grand send-off, followed by more parties to celebrate that new freedom. There’s that giant card where everyone you worked over the decades signs with the glee of a high school year book. Or maybe you […]

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