Before Howard Schultz founded Starbucks, he worked at a little company called, wait for it, Starbucks. Yes, I know how bizarre that sounds, but it’s true: Starbucks was actually around long before Schultz ever woke up and smelled the coffee. Founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev[…] Read On
Blog Archives
Colorblind: A Different Way to Look at Diversity
I have friends who only drink cabernet sauvignon. Others are just into classic rock. And some only read and watch sci-fi or horror. There’s nothing wrong with that. Whatever floats your boat. But I’m not that way. I read books of all types, from classic literature to sci-fi. From Stephen King to[…] Read On
Why We Don’t Follow Our Dreams
There’s a popular show on Food Network called Chopped. Each week, four chefs battle each other and the clock by creating meals from a common set of mystery ingredients. There are three courses. After each course, three culinary experts judge the meals and the loser gets chopped. The last chef standing[…] Read On
Unhealthy Cultural Norms are Killing Us
I always have mixed feelings about leaving my mountain oasis and heading “over the hill” to the Valley of Silicon. Love the work and the high-tech industry. The traffic and the crowds, not so much. Don’t get me wrong; I’m no tech elitist, not by any stretch. Maybe a bit[…] Read On
My Wild Week Living Off the Grid (and Not By Choice)
Living in an age of technological miracles and creature comforts, we take so much for granted it isn’t funny. And just like that, it can all be gone. It can, and it was … We’ve just spent an entire week completely off the grid, and not by choice. We’re talking no[…] Read On
My 10 Aspirations for 2017
I know I said New Year’s resolutions are dumb. They are. Aspirations are different. Aspirations are a poor man’s resolutions: strictly low bar stuff. As my freakishly wise father-in-law Gary says, if you set expectations low enough, you’ll never be disappointed. 1. Try to stay on my meds. The world is[…] Read On
5 Non-PC Rules for Surviving the Holiday Office Party
The holiday office party: a time to unwind, let your hair down, and have a little off-the-clock fun with coworkers in a festive setting. At least it used to be. Now it’s a time to read all the horror stories about ruined reputations. Time to stress about saying the wrong[…] Read On