Hey US-type Americans, I have a question: Who were you fighting in 1776? The British? The English? Who? It’s Not Your Fault You’re Confused I’ve spend a LOT of this year reading newly-published books and articles, and listening to podcasts and talks around the topic of the American Revolution/War of Independence. As an immigrant to… Continue reading Who Did Americans Fight In The War of Independence?
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A Republic, If You Can Keep It
250 years ago a choice was made. This was not inevitable. Nor was the country that came after it. And choices have continued to be made. What Comes Next? In the musical Hamilton, when George III realizes he’s lost the colonies, he switches from asserting ‘you’ll be back’ to asking “What comes next?…Do you know… Continue reading A Republic, If You Can Keep It
Thinking about Death
Yesterday was the anniversary of the day my Dad left us. This week, my dear friend Marta’s father joined him in the great whatever. A week or so ago, a friend my age finally stopped being able to outrun the chronic illness that should have prevented him doing the many remarkable things he did with… Continue reading Thinking about Death
Storytelling without the story
I’ve been sending you a lot of mail about summits recently, so today I wanted to remind you of why you’re here: because you know there’s something in this storytelling-for-sales lark, if you could just figure out how to do it. So here’s a technique that you can try this week, that doesn’t include a specific story, but achieves the some of the same things. (Stay tuned, after the example, for my challenge to you). The Non-Story Storytelling Email This week my friend and fellow author, Fallon…
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I’m Published in ‘Analog’
I was going to start this by saying, “‘I never thought I’d write those words”, but the truth is, of course I always hoped to be published in such a prestigious journal. It’s just not polite to admit your ambitions. It also doesn’t take away my gob-smacked-ness that it actually happened. It’s wonderful. It’s thrilling.… Continue reading I’m Published in ‘Analog’
Your Friendly, Neighborhood Immigrant
Real statements people have made to me that I bet they don’t say to most other immigrants: “Oh, I don’t think of YOU as an immigrant…” “Don’t change your accent. It’s so charming.” “People from your country always sound so intelligent.” “Why would you leave there to live here?” Things people have said to me… Continue reading Your Friendly, Neighborhood Immigrant
Candlemas
Once again, the French demonstrate the art of living the good life. While we Pennsylvanians are getting up at midnight in sub-zero temperatures to watch a rodent pulled out of a log, the French are celebrating Feb 2 by sitting down to crepes. I thought pancakes were just for the ‘oh no, Lent is almost… Continue reading Candlemas
Performative
Then I was always destined to be a reader. My parents read to me. My parents read around me. And as soon as I could read, it was what I wanted to do with most of my time. So I developed a feel for language and an unusually sophisticated vocabulary for a child. Which, you… Continue reading Performative
History Has Its Eyes On You
If you live in the United States, things are bumpy right now.So much is happening and changing that it’s easy to lose perspective. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life Consider this: Former news anchor Dan Rather is, as I write, 93. That means he has lived through almost 40% of the entire history of… Continue reading History Has Its Eyes On You