Category: Ramblings

How to Handle Infamous “People Are Saying” Claims

We’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting or chatting with a colleague, and someone says, “Well, people are saying…” Suddenly, you’re stuck trying to respond to a vague, faceless “people” who apparently have opinions but no names. Frustrating, right? The problem with “people are saying” is that it sounds legitimate while being frustratingly nonspecific. […]

The vibrant life within a forest

I’m a curious fella. Choose your perspective on that thought. Haha. Anyway, I asked my AI buddy ChatGPT to describe me using the characteristics of my name and of the attributes I share at the right of this page. Here’s what ChatGPT says about dear ol’ me, I mean aside from calling me old: PROMPT: […]

Not a Bore in ’24

So last year, I set a personal best with reading (also listening)… 21 books. Damn. And  I started a Master’s program. Not gonna lie… doubful 21 gonna happen this year. Anyway, here we go: December A Short History of Nearly Everything Fan Fiction How Full is Your Bucket? The War of Art November Bury the […]

Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody

This was used by a beloved undergrad professor of mine at UMass. It’s a fun parable on leadership, lessons from which I think of often. This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. […]

Addressing a “tattle tale” culture

Addressing a “tattle tale” culture at work requires creating an environment of trust, open communication, and shared accountability. Here are some steps you can take to fix this issue: Understand the Root Causes Assess the Workplace Climate: Conduct anonymous surveys or one-on-one conversations to understand why employees feel the need to “tattle.” It could be […]

Alma Mater: From Fitchburg to Amherst

Ken (FHS ’67 and UMass ’73) and Keith (FHS ’93 and UMass ’98) As time goes by things that at once seemed distant, or perhaps perfunctory, claim an ever-bigger focus in one’s life. There are many reasons for this… principally life… but the death of a parent certainly can shape perspectives some.

I’m a Tau Beta Sigma sister!

  The Delta Delta chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band sorority at UMass, honored me as one of their own yesterday. The honor was actually mine, having been inducted along with the 11 ladies of the Gamma Lambda class and also with my fellow honorees. And my deepest thanks go to my “Big […]

Dad and Elvis

January 8th. That’s one big birthday. My dad and Elvis. Fitting that Elvis was one of dad’s favorites Anyway, Happy Birthday Dad. A bunch of the extended family gathered at The Knoll today to celebrate and remember you. We laughed and we ate Chinese food and Boston Creme Pie. I hope you smiled. For those […]

413-545-1451

So it appears a lot of you are Googling this phone number and landing on this site. How do I know? I mentioned it in a post a while back about the importance of giving back to your alma mater.

I Shit You Not

Have you ever browsed thru old email? If you’re like me, you keep your inbox somewhat current, so lots of good material gets lost in the ether. Take some time to browse thru your sent box. It’s funny to see what you find. I witnessed this my second day of work at EMC. It’s an […]

He is the Pan

Even as the campus on Saturday celebrated the life and legacy of professor George N. Parks, who led the Minuteman Marching Band to national prominence during his 33-year tenure, it was clear that his influence will continue to be felt just as his death will continue to mourned far beyond the campus itself. I was […]

I don’t have time to use this

Each day since we all learned the sad news of George Parks’s death, I’ve been overcome by all the memories, stories and testimonials to our friend George. Facebook truly brought our family together as we celebrate and mourn.

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