Today, four people said “Happy New Year” to me. It’s mostly a casual greeting, like saying, “How are you?” Nobody expects a serious answer, but it’s a way of opening a conversation. It’s friendly, and it’s nice. But why “Happy?” Is that the ultimate goal for this year . . . that it’s a chance […]
Perspective
Why Nobody Steals Hotel Artwork
I’m sitting in a hotel room in Lancaster, California. It’s a simple room with the basics: a bed, a desk, a TV, and a microwave. And there’s a painting on the wall. It’s pretty big, and has an even bigger gold frame. I’m sure it’s just a print, and there’s a piece of glass covering […]
Driving From the Rear-View Mirror
I had a conversation with an Uber driver the other day who was taking me back to the airport in Newark, New Jersey. He also worked as a limo driver, and was working on his radiology degree. We talked about his journey from his native country of Italy, his marriage to his bride from El […]