Franz Kafka is often credited—though perhaps apocryphally—with the observation that "I was ashamed of myself when I realized life was a costume party Continue Reading
Life
Before Man Was, War Existed
The modern world often speaks about war as though it were an aberration—a failure of diplomacy, a breakdown of civilization, or a temporary deviation Continue Reading
Curbside Gifts: A Pink Jeep and the Veteran Community
curbside gift: a physical object or an act of kindness that you give, often anonymously, without expecting anything in return I spent 27 years as Continue Reading
Aristotle’s Warning About a Life Spent Working: What It Means for Veterans
Work, and a Life Diminished There is a quiet but persistent assumption embedded in modern American life: that work is not only necessary, but also Continue Reading
Sometimes the Best Thing to Do is Just Walk Away
Summer of 2003. A couple of unexpected downturns and one unmitigated disaster left me poor as a church mouse for about 6 months. Not broke, destitute. Continue Reading
Urbs Aeterna: No City Stands Forever
For centuries, Rome called itself Urbs Aeterna—the Eternal City. The phrase was not merely poetic. It reflected a genuine belief that Rome occupied Continue Reading
6 Steps to Switch Electricity Suppliers in Pennsylvania
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash Pennsylvania's deregulated electricity market means you don't have to accept whatever rate your utility charges Continue Reading
Treasure Hunting Gear Every Outdoorsman Needs
Heading into the woods with a clear plan to locate hidden relics turns a basic hike into an exciting outdoor adventure. Packed forest trails and Continue Reading
In The Military and In Business: You Are What You Do, Not What You Say You’ll Do
Here is a simple truth that cuts through nearly every profession, every institution, and every claim of leadership: you are what you do, not what you Continue Reading
Wisdom is Where You Find It, Even at Biker Bars and Redneck Rat Cage Juke Joints
This is somewhere in the late '80s. I was on the back patio of this skeezy redneck rat cage juke joint where I was Head of Security, trying to figure Continue Reading
The Danger of Being “Normal”: Carl Jung and the Illusion of Stability
In military culture, “normal” is often treated as a benchmark. A soldier is expected to behave normally under pressure, to react normally to stress, Continue Reading
The Mile-High View
I have fond memories as a child sitting in the front seat helping navigate. I learned a lot about reading maps, proper road etiquette, and Continue Reading