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I am sitting on the toilet in the bathroom of our new apartment perusing books on the shelf directly in front of me. I pull Think Again by Adam Grant off my black bookcase just an arms-length away from my “seat.” I open the spine to a random page and read: “Questioning ourselves makes the world more unpredictable. It requires us to admit that the facts may have changed, that what was once right may now be wrong…”  I replace it face up on top of the others—to be continued next … [Read more...] about The Joy of Putting A Bookshelf in My Bathroom

It’s the morning of April 19, 2011 when I receive the email. It's from a friend who has an acquaintance in desperate need of an actress to step in to an original play due to open in ten days. They have fired the current actress and need someone—PRONTO. “Here’s the phone number to call, if you’re interested,” the email reads. I’m scared to make the call, but I’m intrigued because the play is written and directed by three former Second City guys, and I think it would be cool to work with … [Read more...] about Learn to Love the Bomb

I look up! I spy a magnificent hawk. It glides, then alights with wings outstretched on the top branch of a 75 foot green pine tree in the backyard of the house directly across the street from us. From that distance I can barely make out a brown triangular shape built almost at the top of the tree. I run inside, grab our cheap little binoculars, and make out a masterfully built large triangular nest nearly camouflaged in the top of the tree. One. Two. Three blurry heads bob from … [Read more...] about Look Up!

We were at a dinner party, and I felt my husband’s hand gently squeezing my leg underneath the table. This seeming act of romance was actually a pre-arranged signal for me to stop talking. I had begged my hubby to please, please, please--this time--not let me embarrass myself, antagonize another guest, or get overly emotional by getting embroiled in a political discussion because when it comes to politics, I just can’t have a calm and rational conversation. The problem with the knee-squeezing … [Read more...] about Fix Conversation Blunders