We are often told about the importance of making a good first impression. It is wise advice because it is timeless and often accurate: make a good first impression, and odds are you have a good chance to experience a productive social, personal, or professional relationship with the other party. Make a bad first impression … More The Last Impression
Part of Old Money culture is the preservation of certain traditions: dressing appropriately, reading voraciously, working diligently, and spending carefully. Etiquette and manners of course fall into this group of top-shelf priorities. Within this category, I have to mention the dying art of sending the Thank You note. To be clear: emails do not cut … More A Tradition Worth Preserving
As we go through life, we learn things. Sometimes we learn in school, sometimes by experience. We accumulate facts, process feelings, and make judgments. We behave and make choices, for the most part, consistent with the worldview we’ve constructed from these various elements. Our opinions are formed. We may affix labels to ourselves in order … More The Value of New Information
I had an enjoyable conversation with a dear friend recently. She is quite a character: formerly a hard-nosed entrepreneur and sparkling Monaco socialite, she began life as the youngest daughter in a prominent French family. After a rigorous and no nonsense education at a Swiss boarding school, circumstances abruptly dropped the centuries-old family estate in … More The Dangers of Comfort
After reading the recent news about protests against Elon Musk and his role in the Trump Administration, I felt troubled. Of course, people have a right to voice their opposition to the South African’s unelected role in American government, considering his companies’ numerous federal contracts. Conflicts of interest are inherent and obvious in this case. … More A War We Don’t Need
It has been a long, wet winter here in the French countryside. Recently, however, we have finally been blessed with a few days of sunshine, and each new dawn seems to promises warmer temperatures and a slow introduction to spring. The ducks are paddling in the pond, and a few brave frogs have begun croaking. … More What I’m Reading Now
Conservative columnist David Brooks gave a remarkable 15 minute speech recently. While I don’t often agree with his political views, I found it a clarion call for our nation and our world. Enjoy it. Share it. BGT
We can all look back on our lives and identify good traits and bad, smart choices and blunders, luck and misfortune. We can see how we’ve changed, improved or declined, harnessed our habits or become victims of them. The most difficult challenge I face is accepting the fact that other people are not me. Not … More The Most Difficult Thing For Me
I recently found myself giving advice to an aspiring writer. It’s an opportunity that I look forward to, most of the time. I’ve had the privilege of learning most of my craft on my own, by trial and error, with little assistance from mentors, professors, or colleagues. I say ‘privilege’ because the road has been … More Without Discipline…?
As you all know, I am a writer, not an economist. That said, I have seen a few things in my time here on the planet, and I do understand how the economy works–or doesn’t–in general terms. I have also learned to ignore hyperbole: nothing is ever as good as it seems or as bad … More Not Business As Usual