Some Gifts Are More Than Just a Gift – the 2018 John Lewis Christmas Commercial Is Here!

It's one of the annual traditions I've looked forward to for the past few years, the release of the John Lewis (a British retailer) Christmas commercial. This year feels a little bit extra special after spending last winter in London and getting to visit the John Lewis flagship store on Oxford Street. This year is the first … Continue reading Some Gifts Are More Than Just a Gift – the 2018 John Lewis Christmas Commercial Is Here! →

Finally Finding Flublok

I often spend way too much time making decisions on matters that shouldn't require nearly as much time. I've spent weeks, months, and in this case, years doing research online, talking to people, and in general, postponing the decision for usually no valid reason. The case in point here is whether or not I should … Continue reading Finally Finding Flublok →

Squish Your Stress Away

Add another item to the list of "things I didn't know people did videos about." I've already written about "study with me" videos, pressure washing videos, and mukbang videos where you can pay to watch people eat. I've also read about unpacking videos, where you can watch people, you guessed it, by unpacking things. So while there … Continue reading Squish Your Stress Away →

Can Business Be the Language of Peace?

There have been many efforts over the years to bring peace to the Middle East, particularly between the Israelis and the Palestinians. But despite those efforts, there has been little progress. However, an article in today's Wall Street Journal offers some hope. Israel’s innovative technology sector—which inspired the nickname “Startup Nation”—faces a shortage of 10,000 software … Continue reading Can Business Be the Language of Peace? →

Music Monday: An Evening with George Winston

For my birthday this year, my three sons gave me two tickets to see the great American pianist George Winston. The concert was last week at the beautiful and intimate Sellersville Theater, and my youngest son and I sat mesmerized for over two hours watching George play a wide variety of music on the piano, as well … Continue reading Music Monday: An Evening with George Winston →

David Muir’s Job Is Safe, for Now

(from scroll.in) China’s state-run Xinhua news agency has new star anchors – virtual presenters that use artificial intelligence (AI) to read the news. The AI newsreaders were unveiled on Wednesday at the World Internet Conference tech expo in Wuzhen. While one suit-clad anchor presented the news in Chinese, the other did so in English. “Hello, … Continue reading David Muir’s Job Is Safe, for Now →

Going Grocery Shopping as a First Date?

That was Dan Ariely's suggestion to someone who wrote in for dating advice. Here is the original letter to Dan: I have been using the dating app Tinder for a while. When I’m swiping right and left it’s fun, and exchanging texts with potential dates is enjoyable, but when we meet face to face, it’s … Continue reading Going Grocery Shopping as a First Date? →

Will I Make It into the Toy Hall of Fame? You May Rely On It.

That was the answer for three toys this year - the Magic 8 Ball, the popular card game Uno, and pinball. The honorees were chosen from a field of 12 finalists that also included American Girl Dolls, chalk, Chutes and Ladders, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Masters of the Universe, sled, tic-tac-toe, Tickle Me Elmo, and Tudor Electric Football. I … Continue reading Will I Make It into the Toy Hall of Fame? You May Rely On It. →

Maybe Awareness Will Help a Little

It was the first thing I read about this morning. I opened the news feed on my phone, and there it was, another mass shooting. Details were still a little vague, but it didn't sound good, and as the day went on, the terrible reality of the situation came into focus. This marks the 14th … Continue reading Maybe Awareness Will Help a Little →

I Never Knew

I've certainly heard the phrase "living high on the hog" before, and just assumed that it referred to living a life of luxury. But I never gave any thought to how and when the phrase was originated. Until last night that is, when it was a question on Jeopardy. Here was the clue: "A possible … Continue reading I Never Knew →