Adopt a Grandparent, they’re Biodegradable

At the moment I am sitting in a diner somewhere in northern Jersey. It’s that weird pre lunch hour where the only patrons are the elderly and, apparently, consumer researchers who are in between interviews. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the...

Giving Unconventional Thanks

Thanksgiving is a day where many of us pause and reflect on the things we are most thankful for.  Ordinarily, I would tell you that I thankful for my wife Nicole and all she does for me. I would tell you that I am thankful for the health of my children, the wonderful...

A Little Perspective

Every now and then we have an experience that seem to put things into perspective. As I was packing for a trip this week I was complaining to my wife about how much I did not want to go away. I was going to miss my first Halloween since the kids were born and I was a...

What I learned from middle school

Tonight my kids went to their first middle school dance. This had me remembering my first middle school dance – a dance I would like to forget. I had a big crush on a girl in my class. Somehow I got the nerve to call her house and ask if she would consider going...

Focus Michael-san

I was reminded of an important lesson today, but first a quick story. The other night during a family dinner we were all gathered around the table talking about our dogs. Yes, this is what you have to look forward to when you are a grown up living in suburbia.  I...

Mom’s 80th

Today, my mother turns 80 years old. Exactly 39 years ago, she received a birthday present she would never forget; she gave birth to me and my twin brother Jimmy.  The doctor told her that she was having a large baby girl. My my where they surprised when she came home...