“NO ONE would ever choose to live here on purpose.” His declaration hung in the air as we locked eyes over the soda fountain counter. I cleared my throat before replying. “Well… I live here on purpose….” He stared at me in disbelief. Our conversation ended on a light-hearted note as he walked out the door, but his words stayed with me for the rest of the day. I know it doesn’t make sense at first glance. Why ...Continue Reading
Celebrating Mediocrity
Everyone has a soap box these days. Some scream HUSTLE HARDER! While others yell at us to stop striving... to chill out... to quit trying so hard. Who's right? Well, both of them, I think. The older I get, the more I realize the answer to most of life's questions is: It depends. Life is less about formulas, and more about feel. There's a time to run hard and there's a time to breathe and ...Continue Reading
On Robots and Pie Crusts
A few months ago I ran across an automated Starbucks machine. I couldn't stop staring at it. (No, I don't get out much.) By pressing the touch screen, I could command it to make whatever drink my heart desired. And of course, it took my payment too. I didn’t have to interact with a single human. Push buttons, insert card, get coffee, go. A friend told me there is now a fully automated McDonalds in Denver. You order ...Continue Reading