page contents Google

DO WHAT MATTERS BECAUSE YOU MATTER

April 16, 2026 by

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 […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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:

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

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?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BUSY LIFE IN THE FAST LANE, PASSING LANE, OR . . .

March 28, 2026 by

A busy life means making a difference to someone, to something, to somewhere. Take your pick. Pick more than one. What you can’t pick is anyone else’s priorities for their busy life. You can try, but why?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

READING FICTION IN DECLINE?

March 26, 2026 by

Reading fiction has been in decline since the first person put a book down and said, “Not for me. Thanks.” A reader doesn’t finish every book. They don’t go into a library with the goal of reading everything. Maybe read everything one author ever wrote, but not everything from everyone. Which brings up one question:

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,