PinnedMember-onlyE Pluribus Unum on ZoomOut of many, one. One giant rectangle with many boxes inside of it. To start and end the class. In between, shared screens, breakout rooms, internet links, Google Documents, and emails sent to the class. And a 10-minute break in the middle. Sayareh is tense and appreciative. It’s 6am in…Teaching6 min readTeaching6 min read
PinnedMember-onlyThe Stars of the Movies Playing Inside Our Heads (On Parenting, Childhood, Cultivating an Imagination, Stuffed Animals, Patience and Riding a Bike)Children can be selfish narcissistic divas. Children can be joyful, overwhelmed and sensitive creatures. All of us were children once, though some of us grew up faster than others. How did your imagination develop? Did someone in your family tell you stories? Were you a reader? Were movies always playing…Psychology7 min readPsychology7 min read
PinnedMember-onlyThe Wednesday Meeting, Part OneThe meeting starts at 7pm. I always get there a few minutes late. It’s either work or Seattle traffic or some family situation…or all three. I head home on the subway, usually about 45 minutes. Then I shower, heat up something frozen, and take a Lyft over to the meeting…Grief4 min readGrief4 min read
3 days agoMember-onlyHow to Play Catch With a Small ChildBuy small youth baseball glove, gray and pink (too big for 5 year-old but big enough to use for next 3 years) 2. Search for old glove. High. Low. Medium. No glove. 3. Borrow glove from friend. 4. Try using tennis ball. Too bouncy. 5. Child has trouble tracking ball…Parenting1 min readParenting1 min read
Aug 10Member-onlyAppointment at the Explanation StationA poem that explains everything, inspired by Shel Silverstein. They said do more with less But I say less is more I’ve added it all up But forgot to close the door. Left my coat on a crooked hook Months later I took a look Sat in the meeting, shook. …Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Aug 7Member-onlyLyft-o-mania: Visiting SeattleWalking Seattle, Lyft Rides, Thoughts on Barbie and Oppenheimer and Two Red Sox Games — I arrived in Seattle on a sunny Saturday at the end of July. Four days with my old friend Mike. The plan was simple: walk all over the place, eat delicious food, and catch two Red Sox games, in town to take on the Mariners. …Seattle9 min readSeattle9 min read
Jul 13The Wonderful Problem: Essays & Poems 2022–2023 — a new collectionHello Good People, Another summer and another set of personal essays and poems, collected, edited and formatted into a small book. This ritual has been cathartic and important for me over the last six summers. I hope to continue doing it for a long time. Maybe I’ll eventually synthesize some…Personal Essay1 min readPersonal Essay1 min read
Jun 6Member-onlyNikola Jokic is a Magician Disguised as a Basketball PlayerThe Denver Nuggets are in the NBA Finals facing the Miami Heat (series tied 1–1) because of the NBA’s two-time MVP, and this year’s runner-up, Nikola Jokic. …Nikola Jokic4 min readNikola Jokic4 min read
May 15Member-onlyJayson Tatum Got Himself Connected Just in Time in Game 6 — Boston Celtics Advance to East Finals with Game 7 BlowoutJayson Tatum was struggling. Really struggling. Looking to the heavens and wondering when a shot will fall struggling. The Boston Celtics were on the brink. Game 6 was winding down and the season was on the line. After taking a 2–1 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference…Boston Celtics6 min readBoston Celtics6 min read
May 11Member-onlyHow to Avoid a Mid-Life CrisisIn order to avoid a mid-life crisis, try not to live more than forty years. Starting around third grade, you may experience a minor crisis at some point throughout every school year. Many of these will occur naturally. If needed, manufacture a minor crisis on occasion. For example, you may…Psychology4 min readPsychology4 min read
