We’ve lost all delayed gratification. I’d rather wait a week or so and let millions of you beta-test the gold master. 

I always try to apologize if I have hurt someone at work or personally. Sometimes it’s hard. But, for me, it’s really important. One of the benefits of apologizing, whether you are forgiven or not, is that it allows us to accept our foibles as humans. If you have any perfectionist tendencies, this process is very…

I spent a good deal of time trying to understand my father. A disciplinarian and authoritarian. As the first born, I was “the good son.” I did everything I was told and didn’t rebel until I was in my 20s. My sister, on the other hand, was the “black sheep.” She did whatever she wanted. In our twenties, we discussed…

Thx. Perhaps you will find that as your children enter middle school and beyond, they will start to pull away from you. In part, it’s natural. Given that I came from a family where curiosity wasn’t promoted, and, as a former college prof who experienced the difference between students who were just trying to get by…

My cousin was responsible for a number of Nickelodeon animated programs in the ‘90s, like The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power, and, of course, the Rugrats. The twins, Lil and Phil, were named after my aunt and uncle (who were married). My cousin used those names because they just rolled over your tongue (as it was in…

Well, I don’t ask them every day. When my daughters were about 10 and 8 we had a family dinner discussion on the difference between the meanings of “sarcastic” and “facetious.” The question was asked by my 10 year old. 

Wow. That’s quite an angry answer. I ask because I’m curious and interested in my children. And, by promoting discussions, I’m teaching them the nature of families and our family. It’s a teaching moment in a way for them.

As a corollary to this, when you children come home from school, don’t ask “How was school?” You will get a one word answer, most likely: “fine.” Ask them a question that requires they think and answer in full sentences, like “What was the most interesting/funniest/bizarre thing you learned in school today?” In 5th…

Lived a year in Minneapolis when I was teaching at the College of Art and Design. I grew up in L.A. I learned to drive in the snow, watch my car start to rust, walked a block when it was -90F windchill. That was the winter.

My daughter just became a 2nd grade teacher—her first job! Last night we were talking and she told my wife and I she had accidentally used our credit card to buy room supplies. She told us it was a rather large amount (~$200). “But,” she said, “I’ll be able to take it off my taxes.”

Otherwise you end up peeing at least twice on the flight!

That requires buy-in to enforce that policy, unless I do it myself. And, I am not interested in taking on that thankless responsibility. I used to send an all-office email with a photo of the sink. The CEO got a little tired of that so I stopped. 

I’d like to enlarge this discussion to include kitchens at work. We have a small kitchen area where counter space is minuscule. People (alright, millennials) leave their dirty dishes in the sink and there’s no room to actually use the sink. I put up a gracious sign, but that didn’t work and someone removed it.

When I’m entering or leaving a building I use my peripheral vision to see if there is anyone right behind me. If so, I will open the door and let them through first.

Yes, that was my guess. Definitely Minnesota. 

I’m one of those people who does somethings with my left hand and some with my right. This isn’t ambidextrous—I can’t do the same thing with either hand. I write, draw, and eat with my left hand. I use the mouse with my right hand. Working on the computer has been an interesting experience. When I want to draw, I need…

Well, we don’t want spam calls to ring even once. Especially on Sunday mornings. 

John, good for emergencies. 

Just enabled nomorobo on our landline. Thanks. 

Well, that’s what we have. FiOS.