Every year at this time I consider the people to whom I owe the most gratitude. This is year it is healthcare workers: nurses, doctors, social workers, therapists, and even the reception and office staff. I’m grateful to all the people who helped deal with my father‘s cancer and the end of his life. The…
What, after nearly nine decades, is the measure of a man? What does he leave behind? 261 assorted cables, coax, RCA, lightning, USB 1.0, 2.0, and up 69.5 dongles 22 power cords 1.68 TB total on 43 thumb drives, 99.1% empty, capacities 32 MB and up 15 sets of earbuds and headphones 5 mice 109…
“How are you doing these days?” “Oh, I’m fine.” Liar. What was today like? Three hundred insults and injuries. The circuit breaker blew when you turned on the toaster. A twinge from your back. Looks like mice in the pantry again. The kid’s tantrum. Ugh, what a traffic jam. What’s that smell — is something…
I was arrogant throughout my career. It based on a justifiable pride about my own capabilities. But it deprived me of something crucial: an appreciation for the best qualities of other people. How I became arrogant I’m going to tell you about me. It’s going to sound like bragging. But it’s all factual. I was…
People die. They don’t pass away. Here’s why I’m done with that euphemism. I had little opinion on this when I was younger. I was fortunate — other than grandparents who died when I was young, I’d not really experienced losses of people close to me. Since then I’ve had the chance to grieve people…
A funny thing happens as you get older. All the noise and confusion of a busy career quiets. You begin to focus on what’s important. And you give up silly and unproductive behaviors. Here are the only four things I still do. And the one thing I’m pleased not to do any more. Learn You…
Nichelle Nichols, best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, died yesterday. Most of what you’ll read about her celebrates her rule as a trailblazer for Black actors on network television, and what that did for America’s perception of Black people. I’d like to talk about what her appearance meant for me, a sheltered…
I once had the chance to give a speech in Rome. It was almost a disaster — even if nobody in the room noticed. The client was a large industrial company in Europe. The venue was one of Rome’s fanciest hotels. The audience were a couple dozen senior executives at customers of the industrial client….
I was a math major and had ambitions to be a mathematician. That didn’t happen. Instead, I found myself in the business world. In contrast to writing, which I consider an essential skill for almost any job, advanced mathematical ability is not clearly necessary for most jobs. But as I look back at my career,…