Christmas has often been a somewhat painful season for me. I grew up in a big household with five kids so my parents were trying to cut corners any way they could. They would wait until about three days before Christmas to buy our Christmas tree, which was always a Scotch pine, the cheapest Christmas […]
Kovid Kindness
September was rolling along just dandy-like until the 21st. I came home from a lunch appointment and told my wife that I didn’t feel right and was going to bed. Two days later, I tested positive for C-VID. We immediately called a home healthcare company and they began treating me with every medication known to […]
Cat Lady Competition
In this video I have a little fun doing some audience interaction by finding out who has the most cats in the crowd. It winds up getting just a tad competitive.
Don’t Blame the Fish
I once heard Jerry Seinfeld say that the audience decides whether or not a joke is funny. The comedian can love the joke. He can believe in it and deliver it flawlessly, but if the audience doesn’t laugh, then guess what? It’s not funny and has to be cut from the routine. That seems like […]
Does Your Customer Service Cost You Anything?
Sooner or later you’re going to mess up. Everyone does. But what you do about your mistake is the thing that defines you both personally and professionally. I had just walked off the stage and was talking to the association president about the event. He raved about how his group had loved my presentation and […]
The Cheapskate’s Guide to Getting a Babysitter
The only economical babysitting options I’ve found are grandparents, newly married couples, and dogs. Let me save you some time and tell you that the dog option isn’t going to work, for two reasons: 1] Dogs don’t have thumbs so when you call home to see how the kids are, they won’t be able to […]
I Wore Kmart Clothes
I am a proud former Kmart clothes wearer! Well, not proud. Kind of ashamed really, but after years of therapy I can finally admit it. If you also had to wear them, I want to hear from you in the comments section below. (My therapist said it’s good if we talk about it.)
Your Worst Customer Service Scenario
A few years ago, I heard the story of Ronnie who owned his own construction business. Ronnie had accepted a down payment from a client to do some remodeling but had dragged his feet in getting the job completed. The customer had complained several times, but Ronnie always had an excuse as to why the […]
The Maniac Parenting Method
My non-parent friends ask me what it’s like having kids. I tell them that before you have kids, you are the star in the movie of your life. After you have kids, you’re lucky if you can get a speaking part. You’re an extra on the set of your own movie. When the credits roll […]
Confessions of an Unsuccessful Liar
When I was seven years old, my parents entertained some friends who had just gotten back from vacationing in Hawaii. Back in those days, it was much more uncommon for people to travel to far away exotic locations, so my parents’ friends were showing off their pictures and souvenirs while my parents ooh-ed and aah-ed. […]