Since my job lay-off in March of 2009, I have experienced numerous inquiries ranging from sincere empathy to casual questions regarding what my future plans are.
Of course, those first few months of unemployment were the most difficult, and, to some extent, worthy of some degree of compassion. But only because I had an eight-month-old baby at home when I lost my job, and I actually had really loved my position with Emmis Communications as Digital Brand Manager.
The fact that I was/am still young and very capable of working at an …

If you adopt a certain point of view, it can accurately be said that we all have to sell ourselves to a degree. Even those of us who find any kind of self-promotion awkward and unnatural have to compromise at some point, whether it be for a job opening, business opportunity or just generally making a good impression to someone.
With that being said, I do not think I could be involved in sales full-time. In addition to trying to find suitable sponsors for my radio show, I am currently working …

I am not prone to be melodramatic, except for when I endure a particularly painful sports defeat. But what I experienced last weekend is challenging to describe without being a little sensational.
This is a very condensed version of a lengthy tale, but that is the point of a blog post. If I decide to write a book, I’ll let you know the details. I grew up in love with playing basketball from as far back as I can remember. The fact that I was really good at it helped, but …

The last time that St. Louis had a real professional basketball team was in 1976. What a Leap Year it was! Bob Costas made his broadcasting debut in STL, the Spirits of St. Louis put their unique stamp on pro hoops history before the ABA-NBA merger, Star Wars came out, the Olympics went down in Canada, we had Jimmy Carter and Patti Hearst in the news, The Last Waltz went down, punk rock was emerging, … the beginning of Apple … and my wife was born.
A really, really, really good …

I still forget just how therapeutic writing can be, so as I deal with a large volume of frustration I have turned to a brief blog entry. Looking for employment is more than just a trying experience; it is exceedingly full of agony, irritation and maddening experiences. I use that three-pronged word approach to not be redundant, but to emphasize what this process embodies. I realize that potential breakthroughs and a fresher future await – and that there is an element of excitement involved.
The downside to this process that leads …

The short-term future that I see is much less murky than the long-term, yet each brings with it an impressive degree of cloudiness with just enough clarity to firm up this mix of perception, hope, desire and reality. Not to be overly cryptic, but I feel that I am facing an axis, a spinning wheel of personal evolution that will obviously lead me to the inevitable future – but what lies beyond today has much more of a mysterious overtone than the cozy, comfortable tones one wants to be accustomed …

This past Thursday was a solid example of one of those days when events take a very sudden turn for the worse at the most inopportune time, causing major parent panic. It was not an overly serious circumstance, relative to genuine emergency. But just as I was experiencing a fatherly zenith while enjoying a gorgeous evening at the park, my little girl starting throwing up all over the park playground. Not good times.
I certainly realize now that each day as a parent of a baby or toddler brings with it …

In six hours, I will be on my way to the KK Ranch, a place that is held sacred among many of my friends. I agree with their sentiment. It is really an idealistic way for us to gather and enjoy time outdoors and together in a perfect setting.
Located out in the country not far from I-70, the KK is only 90 minutes from most points in St. Louis. It features an old-school bunk house that conjures imagery of 1970s Americana, a real outhouse (though it actually is relatively nice), …

I was just reflecting on last week’s St. Patrick’s Day St. Louis celebration in Dogtown. What a day! Since I am looking for work and in the very beginning stages of helping to prepare our house for market, I was conflicted last Wednesday morning. Our daughter goes to daycare on Wednesdays, and so the idea is for me to scramble as best I can to be extra productive. Not party all day.
But … this day only comes once per year. And it was sunny … and I really wanted to …

Few things within the realm of common occurrence is as painful as gout. If anything. Waking up to a throbbing, swollen and painful big toe sounds awful to most, but unless you’ve experienced gout for yourself it is difficult to comprehend. I woke up to another bout of gout this morning, but it is not nearly as intolerable as a truly chronic outbreak. But it still hurts a lot. The explanation I use when talking to others about this condition is to imagine having a big toe that is throbbing …