In 1710, an obscure British politician wrote, “The appellation of Gentleman is never to be affixed to a man’s circumstances, but his behavior in them.”

Translated into 21st century English, it means that the mark of a gentleman is not his birth parents, finishing school, or other cultural markers, but…

It’s 7 AM. You roll out of bed, eager to tackle a list of giant to-do’s to move your career forward, get that book published, or whatever goal your office cork board has pinned at its center.

But first, you peek at your phone just to see if anything major…

A few days ago, I attended a school board meeting. I know. I know. It’s the new battlefield for the soul of America, and I don’t mean battlefield in a figurative sense.

The board called this special meeting to discuss a petition started by parents to institute more stringent policies…

In the beginning, it was cute, the frequent texting, the quirky gifts, the flowers, the extravagant dates, the surprise lunches, the attempts to fix your career and referee your family disputes.

But now, your beau’s full-court press intrudes on your sanity. You need a break, you plead. They accept your…

Let’s face it. We’re all part of a tribe these days. We no longer live in the world that existed ten years ago. That was a time when neighbors gathered for a block party, clanking mugs of beer, gabbing about local sports, and fantasizing about summer vacations. …

In the summer of 1988, my high school girlfriend, Cara, snagged me away from a twilight game of mini-golf, ushering me across the street to the edge of the beach. She had a surprise for me, she claimed.

I don’t recall what went through my head, but I probably figured…

When I talk to younger folks about dating in the 90s, they always express fascination, horror, and shock at our willingness to go on blind dates.

Looking back, it does seem almost medieval, going out with someone without ever having seen a picture of them, relying on the judgment of…

For much of 2020 and all of 2021, crises have upended our everyday life: covid, climate change, Afghanistan, forest fires, water shortages, and ransomware attacks, to name a few.

If these events prove anything, it’s that ordinarily competent folks can look like incompetent buffoons when thrown into a crisis. The…