Readers of the lost art

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The 12-year-old who is grounded from his iPad: I'm bored. There’s literally nothing to do. Me: There’s a hundred great books in this house. Pick one. The 12-year-old: But, Dad, reading isn’t any fun. I have to read in school; why…

You’re gonna screw up. It’s OK.

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I originally wrote this for a professional association I'm a member of, but I think you'll like it, too. Modified slightly.   You dread it. You do everything possible to avoid it, take every precaution and all the right steps. But…

Surviving the ‘House on the Rock’

What is the single weirdest location you’ve ever visited? I mean, flat out bizarre? For me, that question is easily answered. “The House on the Rock” in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Nothing else even comes close. In June 2003, I was…

Doofus Dad’s Foolproof Guide to Setting Up a Home Office

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Some types of jobs lend themselves to home-based offices while others do not. For example, if your goal is to make your living as a copywriter or an e-marketer, home-based work is a great option. All you need is a laptop computer, an empty lap,…

Kid’s Electronics Christmas Contract

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(Updated from 12-2012) Since first publishing this Kid's Electronics Christmas Contract in 2012, I've been delighted but not necessarily surprised at how many nervous parents have downloaded it. We're all in this child-rearing boat together,…

My Top 10 Reasons Why Bohemian Rhapsody Might Be the Greatest Rock Song Ever

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When word began spreading across social media that a biopic was being made about Queen singer Freddie Mercury, I was excited. It seemed to have the makings of something great and any movie that takes me back to the ‘70s is OK by me. (It is…

Be like Firestone

Note: Occasionally, I break down and write a serious post. Please don't hold this against me. And also be aware that I have no affiliation with Firestone Auto Care in any way.   *** Helpful. The word is often overlooked in these…

The Curse of the Common Name

After completing some exhaustive scientific research (two minutes on my phone while in line at Starbucks), I've confirmed what I've always strongly suspected: I have a very common name. Over the past century, Mark is the 16th most common…

The Top 10 movie moments that make this Tough Guy weep

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I ran across one of my favorite movies, "The Natural," the other night, and as usual, got sucked in and watched the whole thing. I've probably seen it 35 times. As I found myself wiping away tears at the end, I landed on the idea to write this post.

Casting the first fly: Indoctrination on the Bighorn River

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Careful not to slip on the mossy rocks, I stepped into the water of the Bighorn River. "Dang. This is cold." My guide, Jerry Smalley, scoffed as he walked past me, his hands full of fly rods and gear. "That water ain't cold," he said.…