Essays & Stories

Rich Dad, Poor Me: Personal Wealth

October 13, 2009

Every few months or so, I get this itch to spend the whole day looking into getting rich. I suppose, in some ways, it’s the same sort of impulsive dedication I show with my monthly need for a fancy vacation, or buying a video game, or writing a short story, or finding a new job, or some other kind of “what could my life be like if I only knew more.” I’m on a rich day, again, today.

Is Objective Morality Possible?

October 9, 2009

In reply to a dear friend abroad, who asked if I thought Objective Morality was possible (that being a morality that was true, in virtue of itself, and thereby agreed by all who think rationally) I replied with a brief outline of some of the troubles I’ve come across, namely, how different values interupt this [...]

“Milk After Mugger” – TNB

October 5, 2009

“It certainly wasn’t THE mistake; there were probably a number of those, but the first thing I did wrong was have the cab driver drop me off three blocks from my apartment, instead of right at the front door, especially knowing that neighborhood’s reputation. I must have felt like walking a bit. It was five [...]

The Package Tour of Friendship

October 3, 2009

I’ve got loads of friends that came into town yesterday, and even more (my boys), on a plane as we speak, due in this afternoon. And here I am, on the couch, practically napping. It’s amazing to me how content I am, just sitting here, not being out. That’s really messed up, right?

What Is “Maturity?”

September 27, 2009

What’s the point of being mature when you’re dealing with a tough social situation? Let me put that another way, because it does us no good to ponder the use of maturity until we really know what it is. What is it to be a mature person?

“The Overnight From Lisbon” – TNB

September 24, 2009

The story of ‘my most-memorable train ride’ is often elicited, and appropriately renamed, by many differing topics of conversation.

Democracy vs What’s Right

September 19, 2009

We’re talking about how to deal with disagreement in a democracy. The general plight of any political discussion is the balance between wanting to feel right and having faith that an intelligent human being can come to a different conclusion than you.

‘Literally’ As a Figure of Speech

September 13, 2009

In a really excelent post about language and how frustrating and cliche’ some people express themselves, I was reminded of my own ‘literal’ encounter one night out at Amber Room. I would be interested to hear responses from a good many teenagers who would find themselves placed upon the critical chopping block. Awful as I [...]

He Shook His Way Into Our Hearts

September 13, 2009

There was a man in my old neighborhood that this lovely piece reminded me of who had also suffered a stroke. His name, too, was John and every day he’d sit up against a building across the street from my coffee shop. I never knew much about him, except that he was always there, but he was an icon of the street that everyone knew and, I suppose, everyone sort of cherished.

How to Lead a Good Life: Advice

September 13, 2009

After reading a blog about some life advice…, and another about the simple things in life (a topic I know my mind wanders to when I’m working round four in the morning), I thought I’d compile a few of the great pieces of advice I’ve heard and took to heart over the years.

How to Get Monopoly Rich, Quick

September 10, 2009

It’s almost two in the morning, and I’m up playing Monopoly, dreaming, as every kid does, about all the wealth he’ll command. Trouble is, it’s just a fantasy and, well as I’m doing, happy as my life is, I don’t own much. So what’s a free, white, non-landowning male to do? So far, all I [...]

The Bay Bridge is a Failure?

September 6, 2009

I’d like to talk, for a moment, about a phrase I picked up in this quote, from an article in the SF Chronicle yesterday, regarding a ‘crack’ that was discovered this weekend in a piece of the Bay Bridge. Can you see the phrase? It’s a little one, and pretty innocuous at first glance. That’s right…’bridge failure.’

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