It’s Gonna be one of those posts…..
As many of you know, I’ve been involved in local politics seriously since 2014. I became a local democratic zone leader in 2022. It’s been a big job, but it’s largely akin to running the PTO, but with more far-ranging consequences. You’ve got planning for events, wrangling volunteers, and keeping…
Guide to Gift Giving
It’s close to Christmas, and as we finish up our shopping, it’s worth reflecting on the purpose of gifts in the first place. I read an article this am about how millenial parents are frustrated that their Boomer parents are showering their kids with useless stuff that just ends up…
FFS
We’re living in interesting times. The lead candidate for the republican nomination for presidency just wants everyone to give up and anoint him their candidate now, despite finally starting to face the consequences of years of fraud and treating the legal system as a cudgel to use against anyone he…
AI is Going to Change Everything
Working in digital marketing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what it can and should be used for is all the rage right now. If you want to understand AI better, the best source is really Chris Penn– who has an excellent set of videos and regularly explains what’s happening in AI…
Podcamp 2023
A small group of us, die hards from Podcamp Philly and Podcamp East, came together this past weekend for Podcamp 2023 in Philadelphia. There were amazing sessions talking about how AI and Chat GPT will pose challenges to those of us who are involved in digital marketing, or looking to…
Glad to Leave Office? I get it.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is getting into trouble because he spoke his truth, saying he’s looking forward to a time when he’s not mayor. As someone who was a Township Supervisor for 6 years, I understand this sentiment perhaps as much as anyone. Being a local elected official may look…
Almost 80 Best Movies of the 80’s
Rolling Stone just put out a post of the 100 best movies of the 1980’s- and there are a lot of obscure movies that as a teenager/college student during the 80’s I never heard of. As a child of divorced parents, I spent a ridiculous amount of time at the…
Losing but not Lost
I lost my bid for re-election as a Township Supervisor. Elections are like the world’s longest job interview. I knocked 946 doors, speaking with friends and neighbors; sending mail out to people about what I stood for, and what I believed. I chose not to attack my opponent, even though…
Running for Office
I am a local Township Supervisor in Pennsylvania, running for re-election this year. Supervisor is a part-time position, and comes with a statutory stipend of $2,500.00 a year. that equates to about $5.20 or less an hour of meeting time, and other work we put in to help guide the…
Dementia
My mother-in-law has dementia. She had been pretty good at hiding her slow cognitive decline for a long time, but gradually, not even those of us who would have preferred to be in denial could avoid the truth. We needed to move Nancy out of her home and into a…
Umoo, a Finance Game with Learning Component
I'm running a multi-player-game this week on Umoo- a stock-related finance game. I'd love it if you'd help me help them kick the tires for fun- they're even giving prizes- books or amazon cash for books to the top three finishers! Umoo has a great interface where...
The Cafe versus Mass Market
Chris Brogan had an interesting post up today about "Cafe-shaped conversations" that got me thinking. The big versus the small, the mass versus the individual touch- this is a classic dichotomy we all struggle with in our lives. Are we part of a group (safety in...
Thanksgiving and Gratitude
Sometimes, it's easy to get carried away with the "stuff" on holidays- preparing major meals, worrying about gifts, the house, the details- when in the end, the holidays, at their best, are all about friends and family. This is your home community- the people who...
Malcolm Gladwell- Outliers
When I found out Malcolm Gladwell had a new book coming, I made sure I pre-ordered it, and it came on its release day this past week. I've been working my way through the book, and it's interesting- especially when I think about it in context of the conference I went...
Economic Impact of the News
We want to have the news reported as soon as it can be; we have a 24 by 7 newscycle that makes it hard for anything to be quiet for very long. In fact, i am not sure what the test for "newsworthy" is anymore, but I would love to know. When I hear GM is in trouble, or...
Friends and Acquaintences
One of my favorite quotes ever is from a book by Richard Bach called Illusions- "Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years." In my travels, the people I consider my really close friends-...
Goals
Goal Originally uploaded by aremac In sports, the goal is clear. Score points, more than the other guy or team, and savor success. Goals and success in other parts of life are a whole lot less defined. We say things like "I want to be happy". What does happy mean for...
Passings
Grandma Nina Originally uploaded by wsh1266 This morning I got a phone call that my grandmother passed away. She was in her mid 90's, and had a good long run, that's for sure. While the end itself came rather quickly and unexpectedly, she had not been in great health...
The Election of the Century
I just finished watching Barack Obama give his speech and I started crying. And before I go to bed, exhausted and exhilarated, I thought I'd write few quick words. This election has been about the triumph of ideas, hopes, and aspirations over negativity. It's been...
Election Year, Leadership, and Inspiration
Joe Biden Football Hall of Fame Rally Originally uploaded by Sage Lewis Today I attended a Obama-Biden campaign rally at the University of Delaware, featuring Joe Biden. I've long ago decided I was voting for this ticket, but I attended the rally to hear Joe speak on...
