Here's the thing. I don't have a plan. I never have. I've never chosen a set path. I'm talking capital-P Plan, the kind where you decide what you want and you set out to make it happen. I've made plans before, of the little-p variety. I've planned vacations to the last detail, and planned evenings … Continue reading The Plan

They say happiness is a choice. I wouldn't say I disagree, but I think it's more accurate to say happiness is a skill. From March of 2015 through June of 2016, I lived and worked in the LA area. I loathed it. It was hot, crowded, superficial, insincere, and a 16-month endless headache. I landed … Continue reading Happiness

Today is Valentine's Day and like most holidays (real or imagined) out here on the Left Coast, I'll be spending it alone.  I'm not complaining, mind you.  I'm growing accustomed to the solitude and anyway it's pretty passe nowadays to admit to liking Love Day.  Most people my age are married and have already done … Continue reading Love

Years ago, I won't say how many, I decided to wash my hair in the rain.  I was in the throes of my 'save the world' glory days and had reasoned to myself that wasting well water was ridiculous given the enormous amount of water pouring down from the sky. The idea also spoke to my … Continue reading Quitting Gets a Bad Rap

The thing about becoming an aunt is that it alters everything. When a child is born, the parents' lives are changed arguably more drastically than anyone else's.  While I don't think anyone can truly be wholly prepared for the ways in which their lives change when they become parents, there are books, shows, movies, websites, … Continue reading On Aunting

I knew a guy in high school.  Well, I knew lots of guys in high school.  But I knew a particular guy in high school who was good friends with my good friends.  We traveled in the same circles but were never ourselves anything more than acquaintances.  I liked him.  He was funny.  After he … Continue reading Paying Attention

Today a colleague brought his daughter with him to visit my office.  When you work in politics, you often have colleagues you never see.  (You also sometimes have colleagues you see too much, but that's a story for a different day.)  It's a shame because, as in this case, I usually quite like them and … Continue reading Simplicity

Hi there, friends and family!  It seemed appropriate in this Presidential election year to begin this blog with a post entitled, 'Inauguration.'  I'm hoping to keep you all caught up on everything through this site.  It's easier than texting each of you individually to share pics of vacations, or show off my latest projects, or … Continue reading Inauguration