Life by Trial and Error | A writer\'s journey

Trick Question

Q. How do you avoid unwanted marketing?
A. You can’t. No matter what you do.

Times are tough all around, and many companies have responded to difficult times by tripling their efforts to recruit new customers—by force, if necessary.

I’ve been getting countless robo‑calls, despite being on the no‑call list. I immediately hang up on any recording, but by that time I’ve already …[MORE]

On the Shelf

Whenever I’m in a person’s home or office, I like to get an opportunity to check out the contents of their bookshelves. I think you can tell a lot about a person based on the books they keep on hand.

When I was young, my idea of utter affluence was a private library. I wasn’t sure I’d ever have one …[MORE]

Enough

After less than a year belonging to Facebook, I’m beginning to regret it.

I was one of the last of my circle to get in the game. I pointedly resisted for a long time, but finally I caved. There was just too much going on there that I didn’t want to miss out on. Pictures were posted. Events were hyped. …[MORE]

The Best Worst Teacher I Ever Had

It was an “obstacle” course—one that either earned you your diploma or forced you to change majors. It was offered once each year and taught by only one professor. I signed up.

On the first day of class he laid out his plan. We would have regular homework assignments that would be discussed in class; he would give …[MORE]

Same Old Song?

Most of us have been to a symphony at some time or other. We all know what it looks like, what it sounds like, how it’s done.

Or do we?

Things are not always what you expect them to be. Take a look at this fabulous video. Conductor Gustavo Dudamel leads a spectacular performance by the Venezuelan …[MORE]

The Limits of Luck

I had an interesting backgammon match today and I found in it several lessons I’d like to share. Even if you don’t know the game, hang in there with me. I think you’ll still appreciate the moral to the story.

It was clear from the first roll of the dice that my opponent was a rank amateur. She had trouble …[MORE]

Do You Want to Live Forever?

A friend recently told me about an interesting podcast he’d heard. The subject was medical advances in the field of human longevity. The premise was that medical and technological advances would soon outpace the extended lifetimes they produced, potentially resulting in a human lifespan of a thousand years or more. In fact it was suggested …[MORE]

The Taste of the Times

Maybe it’s a sign of aging; maybe it’s a sign of the times. Whatever the reason, I’ve begun to lose patience with the American preoccupation with “improving” food products to the point of tastelessness. It seems that good is never good enough. Manufacturers are always looking to cut their costs and extend the shelf life of their …[MORE]

The Big Lie

Good news, everyone: I’m going to live forever! At least that’s the conclusion you might draw if you examined my behavior.

I’m forever putting off the important stuff by occupying myself with the trivialities of life. Why pursue priorities when there are dishes to be washed and mail to be sorted? Now I’ll grant you that neither …[MORE]

My Friend, the Book

I’ve been on a decluttering campaign around my house. It’s been a relatively easy task when focused on closets, cabinets and drawers. It gets difficult, though, when it comes to the bookshelves.

I’ve determined to weed out my book collection. I really do have far too many books and they are just gathering dust. The problem is that …[MORE]

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