Archive for June, 2009

The good: I get to interact with clients face to face.  This is rare these days, but it is a great opportunity. I get to see cool cities, though never as much as I want.  But still, Chicago seems great and makes me want to bring Mary and the kids here sometime soon for a vacation. I... »

I received some of my first real feedback on Kidversation yesterday from a step-parenting perspective.  All in all, fantastic feedback.  She loves the questions and also the guiding principles behind them.  Two in particular that stuck out where 1) turn off the parent filter and just listen without judgement, and 2) find the parenting... »

So, Mary and I were driving to the jazz fest on Saturday.  We stop at a light and a pickup truck with tow truck company markings pulls up next to us.  A big, middle aged, well-muscled and tattooed white guy leans out his window and says to us “So, your bumper sticker.  ‘Yes we... »

I was out walking Moby Dog the other morning and I saw a plane flying overhead. It was a bit low, and for the barest moment I thought of the plane crashing into the house in Buffalo. Without any real intention, I instantly started writing a story in my mind about a man walking... »

I know this spring has felt much cooler than in prior years. And I know the heat of summer will be coming soon. But this spring has given us the most amazing winds. We’ve had so many days of warm winds and cool winds and slow, lazy winds and powerful, gusty... »

Vegetarian restaurants that are not on the verge of bankruptcy. There are too many to name in NYC so let’s just say Wee Dragon Bowl and leave it at that. Real _________ where the blank equals any of the thousands of amazing ethnic foods that just taste better in NYC. I used to deride NYC... »

I am constantly finding myself at decision points.  Maybe you could call them inflection points.  I learned long ago life is not about the great big decisions, but rather the little ones that build up to the big ones.  So deciding to write Kidversation was fine, but it has been a thousand daily choices... »

I am frequently asked how I get it all done - parenting three kids, building Families in Recovery, writing Kidversation.  I rarely have a good answer besides saying “get what done?”  since it feels like all of it has taken forever and I actually have only accomplished things in half-measures.  My more rational self... »

I drove over my MacBook today.  The car is fine, but the MacBook screen - not so much.  »