When I go to conferences, I always feel like I’m doing them wrong. You see, I’m an introvert. And since 75% of the population is extroverted, the world is pretty much geared towards extroverts. Conferences included. …
[Read more...] about Sometimes Being Introverted Makes Me Feel Broken
"In the face of overwhelming pressure to conform, how do we live a remarkable life in a conventional world?" That was the question at the heart of the first ever World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon, at which Kim and I were able to attend and present. …
[Read more...] about Return from Portland (and World Domination)
Kim and I have had a blast seeing all the contributions to Project Pancake, our first officially organized small rebellion. Check out the stories and photos here (and feel free to add your own!) I didn't know exactly what we would do in our household, but I did know that it would include the new Star Wars pancake molds I got for Christmas. That would be unique! Well, I thought it would be, until I saw the pancake picture posted by Mark Tipperreiter a few days earlier. Apparently, Santa visits other houses besides just mine. Here's Mark's picture, featuring a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, …
I love my job. A few years ago, Kim and I got a behind-the-scenes tour of a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels, aka the Wienermobile. This summer, we were able to take a spin in another classic vehicle -- an exact replica of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster that Chevy Chase drove in National Lampoon's Vacation. …
[Read more...] about The Day the Wagon Queen Family Truckster Pulled Into My Driveway
Well, we did it. My wife and I made it to the one-year mark. (Oh, and so did Lucy.) The first two weeks seemed like a millennium, the last fifty seemed like a millisecond. So, what have I learned, if anything? • It sounds so dang cliché to say, “It’s harder than I imagined, but better than I imagined.” It may be cliche, but is it ever true. • I’m still trying to figure out what a “normal” schedule should be. I’m never quite sure I’m spending time correctly. I feel like I’m still trying to get in a groove. It seems like I should have it figured out by now. I also get the feeling that …
[Read more...] about The First Year of Fatherhood: One Dad’s Review
It seems like every audience I speak to has one. A grumpy dude with his arms folded and a face that looks like it was turned to stone by a quick glance at Medusa. Early in my career, it used to bug the heck out of me. I'd get all self-conscious. I'd wonder: Does he think I'm too young? Does he think my jokes stink? Is he the dude I saw last night on America's Most Wanted? …
[Read more...] about What To Do When You Encounter a Jerkbutt
I was recently given a review copy of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Seeing Is Believing. The problem is, I’ve never done an official review of anything before. I guess the first thing to determine is my unit of measurement. That seems to be the thing that really brands you and makes you popular, ensuring that more people will send you free stuff. I’m pretty sure Siskel & Ebert came up with the thumbs up/thumbs down thing. Rotten Tomatoes uses, um, tomatoes. And I don’t know who came up with the star system (I give this 4 out of five stars!), but I’m sure he must be making a lot of bank …
[Read more...] about Believe It Or Not: A Review of Ripley’s Latest Book
In a few weeks, my daughter Lucy will celebrate her first birthday. Last Thanksgiving, we had to skip the traditional two-hour drive home because my wife looked like she was hiding the Great Pumpkin under her shirt. At the risk of sounding like every other dad who’s ever lived, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. (Even though the first few weeks did seem like an eternity.) With another Thanksgiving just around the corner, and my first year of fatherhood coming to a close, I sure do have a lot to be thankful for, including sleep, football, and cheese. Here’s the full list: …
[Read more...] about A First-Year Father’s 13 Things to Be Thankful For
I've shown this particular video near the end of every speaking program I've done over the past several years. It chronicles an adventure Kim and I had in Colorado Springs in which we became VERY close friends with a herd of giraffes. It usually gets a pretty good reaction from the crowd, including laughs and giggles of both delight and disgust. The video is a little misleading, however. …
I feel like I need to take a shower. Kim and I just got done doing a business-themed radio interview with a couple of female hosts who were two of the most Adultitis-ridden people I've come across in some time. Arrogant and pessimistic, the duo was unprepared, unenthusiastic, and utterly unhappy. I normally have a great time doing interviews, but not this one. It was an hour in hell. …
