I am, and have always been, a peacemaker. Conflict makes me edgy. I feel a personal responsibility to lighten the air with humor when two people are going at it in a heated exchange or hostile negotiation. Early in my career, I felt compelled to make others laugh so they would chill out on the…
I walked in two hours early, just to get a feel for the stage and environment. It’s a preparation method I learned doing Toastmasters speech contests. I strolled past the framed pictures of famous comedians who have entertained at Tommy T’s over the years, and asked myself “Do I really belong here?” Of course I…
It was 1993: the 65th Annual Academy Awards. Billy Crystal was hosting for the 4th consecutive time and the theme was the “Year of the Woman.” Imagine my luck… not long after moving from Indiana to Los Angeles and I had a backstage pass to the Oscars! How did I get there? I worked for…
I’ve given a few intentionally humorous speeches in my day, mostly in Toastmasters. I’ve given a few unintentionally humorous speeches in my job, mostly when asking for more budget. Last Friday night I attempted stand-up comedy for the first time. I took this challenge to stretch myself, get up in front of a crowd and…
I’m having an enormous amount of fun on my bicycle. It has provided great exercise for me over the last few months, and I love the Central Valley Velo bike club in Tracy, California. But even though cycling is a thrill a minute; let’s keep it real with a few important tips before you hit the…
Balance a large bowl of salsa on the tops of your hands. Repeat lines from Silence of the Lambs in a creepy whisper. Turn and face the crowd instead of the door. Scratch your back like a grizzly bear on the button panel. Ask if anyone wants to hear your elevator pitch, then sing one…
The Survivor Mud Run delivers exactly what it promises. You get to run (as well as crawl, swim, slide and trudge) through mud, and you pay money for the opportunity to do this to yourself. It was 3 miles with 22 obstacles that included walls, cargo nets and monkey bars. But it’s really all about…
We spent summers with my dad when I was in high school. It was a half work half play arrangement. My dad owned apartment buildings in West Lafayette, Indiana, and my brothers and I would drive around mowing yards, moving furniture and painting apartments as our summer job. He also hired a few college kids…
“I am so awesome!” At least that was what I was telling myself as I rounded the last corner of my 25 mile bike ride. I had just pushed myself faster than ever, and I smiled as I wiped the sweat out of my eyes with the side of my glove. I was wearing my…
This is it…drumroll…my 200th blog post. Cue the balloon drop and blow the kazoos! It’s mostly a milestone for me, but maybe for a few of you too. Especially Ray Basile who said “Dude, you should start blogging,” and those who said “I read every one of your stories to my teenagers,” and the many…