Monthly Archives: September 2001

Cooperation isn’t the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict. – Deborah Tannen Robbie was pissed that I let our daughter ride her new recumbent bicycle to work yesterday. She thought we’d agreed it would be a mutual … Continue reading →

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the Beautiful Stuff out. – Ray Bradbury It’s an interesting metaphor. I like it because it takes the ego out of … Continue reading →

My wife Robbie and I started going on romantic outdoor picnics (wine, cheese, you get the idea) a few years ago when our marriage began taking a major turn for the better. We’re going on one today. It’s been Indian … Continue reading →

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. – Albert Einstein I saw an article on Salon recently in … Continue reading →

Let there be spaces in your togetherness. – Kahlil Gibran My wife Robbie and I both know that we like our alone time. We both take advantage of the fact that I’m a morning person and she’s a night person. … Continue reading →

Newsblog: The Onion has some hilarious pieces about the terrorist attack…. not an easy thing to do when it’s still so close to the event and thousands are still unaccounted for. A favorite: God Angrily Clarifies ‘Don’t Kill’ Rule

Newsblog: Market patriotism Reich: Just before the terrorist attack, the prudent thing for most families to do was to trim their budgets somewhat, pay down more of their debts, and put a bit more of their savings into bonds. After … Continue reading →

It occurred to me yesterday while driving school carpool to take the day off. It was my birthday, the first frost of the fall, and the first sunny day in two weeks. Robbie wanted me out of the house so … Continue reading →

If you give what you do not need, it isn’t giving. – Mother Teresa Ouch. I never heard this before. I’ve always operated from a more traditional mindset… and even then, I’ve been monetarily stingy all my life. I’m more … Continue reading →

I watched a PBS special on Sunday night called People Like Us: Social Class in America. I taped it and gave it to two of my sons to watch. One of the reasons I like living here in Northfield is … Continue reading →

Thinking is when your mouth stays shuts and your head keeps talking to itself. – unknown It bugs my wife Robbie when we’re arguing if I pause a long time before I say anything. She tends to think I’m doing … Continue reading →

Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets. – Nido Qubein Yeah. And I’m extremely eager to do this right now, but can’t. I might be close, but I … Continue reading →

God is not neutral. – George W. Bush We’re suffering from too many people invoking God on their side. – Barney Frank The only time during the President’s speech last night that I cringed was when he said, “God is … Continue reading →

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant. – Horace Newsblog: In Crisis, Giuliani’s Popularity Overflows City It’s interesting how a guy beset by personal troubles can rise to the occasion of leadership … Continue reading →

Newsblog: Boomers find desire to rally ’round the flag I was surprised by my wife Robbie’s interest in getting a flag for our house after the terrorist attack. Nobody had any, of course, not even on the net, so she … Continue reading →

A guy I know sent me a note about this website that displays poignant pictures of people from around the world reacting supportively towards America. It’s strange to see it.

A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair. – Samuel Johnson It occurs to me now that I’ve got a couple of friendships now that are need of repairs… or at least rejuvenation. Shit.

I’m a little more at peace today, having sent off the RJR CD. If I get run over by a truck, I’ll die knowing that I’ve done what I could to give life to Real Joe and that it now … Continue reading →

You’re entitled to the joy of work, you’re just not entitled to the results. – Larry Brilliant I mailed a CD of V3.0 of the Real Joe Radio Show demo to public radio folks today. There’s been enough water over … Continue reading →

I was surprised last week when a business owner I know told me privately that Real Joe has had an impact on him recently. And another guy in town said he really liked what I wrote about my imagining I … Continue reading →

I heard a very touching audio collage of the week’s tragic events this morning on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Hearing people sing “God Bless America” and “The Star Spangled Banner” brought tears of pride in my homeland to my eyes. But … Continue reading →

Kent Nerburn came to Northfield last night to read from his new book Road Angels, sponsored by the Carleton/St. Olaf Bookstore. I first came across him when I reviewed his book Letters To My Son for Utne Reader back in … Continue reading →

And yet, when I look up to the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more. – Anne Frank I heard an epidemiologist … Continue reading →

I visited my mother yesterday. It was her 78th birthday. We’re not communicating much, so I pushed her to get back into therapy so Robbie and I could particiate and work on the unresolved issues. She agreed — again. She … Continue reading →

Courage is fear that has said its prayers. – Dorothy Bernard The people who stormed the hijackers on the flight that crashed near Pittsburgh did so because they found out via cell phones what the hijackers intent was. Had I … Continue reading →