Based on the Guardian series, here. The book I am currently reading I'm very good at starting books. The book that changed my life I guess it would be the first one I copy edited and the author didn't complain. I wish I could remember what it was. The book I wish I’d written So … Continue reading Books That Made Me
I’ve never worked in customer service – and, more specifically, would definitely avoid ever being a waiter. This is a job that requires excellent social skills, having rapport with strangers, and possessing a more-than-decent memory. And none of these things applies to me. So, here’s a question: do wait staff ever have competitions to pass … Continue reading #Illinois2018 – On Customer Service
Americans see distances in a very different way to normal people… They just have so much more to work with. I know this is hardly a startling observation (Hey, have you noticed how big the US is?) but the truth of the cliché hit me hard as we traveled, my delightfully American wife and I, … Continue reading #Illinois2018 – On Road Trips
Part 3: A Zillion Steps Thursday, we set out to see sights. We left as soon as our laundry was done (priorities…) and headed towards the wharf. Pictures were taken. An early lunch was had at a place way above our pay grades. To establish my working-class credentials, I ordered the fish and chips. Of … Continue reading San Francisco Tales: Part III
When we're young, we believe in crazy things. I believed, for instance, that I would one day make money by my rudimentary ability to put one word after another and ending it with the correct punctuation mark...most of the time; And, OK, I did do a little magazine work, for mom-and-baby mags and for young-lonely-men-alone-in-their-room … Continue reading On Success
Recently, Guardian columnist Victoria Coren Mitchell wrote about how oppressive the current news cycles are and then suggested a list of things that make her happy. I think this is both an excellent idea and a relatively stress-free exercise for someone looking to maintain a weekly blog-posting schedule. In that spirit, here is my list. … Continue reading On happy thoughts
