Uncategorized – Into the Comfort Zone

I Still Want to Be the Hare

Years ago, I happened to be at a Tokyo airport during a super typhoon. I had a one-day layover and no money. My plan was to loiter inside the airport until my flight the next day. I say a Tokyo airport because at the time, there were two. Mine was the one that closed atContinue reading “I Still Want to Be the Hare”

Donuts, Dogs and Do I Know You?

Picture a Starbucks patio and three people enjoying drinks, contraband donuts and each other’s company. It’s my daughter’s birthday. Enter a woman with two large dogs on leashes. Picture me ignoring her and the two dog snouts that are hovering an inch from my knee. She sits at a table next to us and tugsContinue reading “Donuts, Dogs and Do I Know You?”

All-the-Time Friend

In an unusual act of stepping out of my routine, I stopped singing along to a Mariah Carey song and listened instead. On this occasion, the song was Anytime You Need a Friend. I was in my car, and Mariah was claiming that anytime I needed a friend, she would be there. She was prettyContinue reading “All-the-Time Friend”

Happy Fuggetaboutit Day

Thanksgiving was fast approaching, so naturally I asked a co-worker about her plans for the holiday. She said the usual, dinner with immediate and extended family. “Will everyone behave?” I asked. “Probably not,” she said. The troublemaker, in this case, was her mother. She makes everything about herself, I was told. And frankly, my co-workerContinue reading “Happy Fuggetaboutit Day”

I’ll Tell You Later

Earlier in the week, I sent a few postcards via regular mail to a few friends. I think that disqualifies me from discussing any topic related to Artificial Intelligence. So when I say that AI can help you talk to the dead, I’m merely quoting an article I read and not speaking as a certifiedContinue reading “I’ll Tell You Later”

Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud

Imagine being a pop icon. You’re young, talented, famous and rich. You’ve surpassed your wildest dreams—you’ve also surpassed all the other wannabe popstars, even the ones who, at the age of 55, are still trying to break into the business. You pack stadiums, and you do what you love night after night to the adorationContinue reading “Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud”

C’mon, Get Happy

A wise expert once said, “Studies show . . .” That’s when my ears perked up. The expert continued. “Studies show that writing down your bad experiences can actually make you happy.” Tell me more. “Once in ink, these bad experiences can be analyzed. Then, drawing on your reservoir of optimism, you will naturally concludeContinue reading “C’mon, Get Happy”

The Big Day(s)

I feel about milestones the way I feel about holidays: keep them coming. As a child, I literally lived for milestones. Start elementary school. Start Jr. High. Start puberty. Start High School. Start driving. Start voting. Start college. Start buying smokes and booze (optional). Start life. There we so many wonderful and exhilarating stages leadingContinue reading “The Big Day(s)”

Whisper in the Wind 6

I’ve heard about an exercise designed to help you recover from a nasty childhood. The idea is to pour out your heart in a letter to the people responsible for your nasty childhood. The obvious suspects being your parents. In my case, my alcoholic father. I’ve never written such a letter, though I have grievancesContinue reading “Whisper in the Wind 6”

Whisper in the Wind 5

Looking back on my life, it is abundantly clear that I was not ready for adulthood at age 18. My objective in life was to be happy with myself, which I thought would come automatically when I left home. Instead, I carried the grievances of my childhood for many years, and that extra load knockedContinue reading “Whisper in the Wind 5”