Happy New Year, Let’s Start With A Plan

I have always been a dreamer, I like to contemplate my future in different scenarios. I remember my 3rd grade teacher wrote on my report card, “Daydreams in class, could do better.” I took the advice to “do better” seriously, and have been a lifelong learner. The daydreaming though, I could never give up (Thank

Autumn Adventures

As the autumnal equinox approaches, which is the equilibrium of day and night, it signals the change of seasons and the transition from growth to harvest. The  air cools, the frenzy of summer gives way to back-to-school routines, and the open window season brings respite from Augusts’ dog days. The pace slows a little, we

The Metaverse Continued…

An article in The New Yorker caught my eye and kept me thinking about the #metaverse. As I was pondering what the writer was saying about Facebook’s strategies and positioning, it made me imagine a virtual war between consumers and companies inside the metaverse. Are individual governments obsolete in the virtual world? How will we

Becoming an Expatriate

I am starting a new chapter, so let me start with the Bottom Line Up Front (or BLUF in military parlance). My intention is to move from the USA to a small island in the Atlantic Ocean called  São Miguel, which is part of the Portugal’s Autonomous Region of the Azores. I have numerous reasons

Visualization and Goal Achievement

I retired right before the pandemic, and have been contemplating what to do with myself – I need a new purpose. The Olympics were very inspiring, it always makes me appreciate the training that goes into that kind of performance. Any kind of performance takes work, whether it’s musical, educational, business or entertainment.  Visualization is

Olympic Aspirations

First, thank you to all the athletes who participated in the Oympics this year, the delays, uncertainty, covid protocols, and the emotional rollercoaster of the pandemic made training and competing all the more challenging. Thank you for sticking with your passion and representing your country. An observation from seeing so many athlete backstories. I noticed

Novel Confessions

I have a confession to make. I’m a Baldacci snob when it comes to Audible pleasure listening. Since retiring from Microsoft, one of my true pleasures is to be able to get lost in a story, and Audible makes that very easy with the array of titles they offer. I had remembered my books on

New Economy in Outbreak Times

I have been observing the evolution of this outbreak and how it is impacting American’s daily lives, habits and economy.  The stock market is still rocky, and will be until we figure out a way to survive with new ways – no touch and social distancing, no gathering events (sports, church, music), more online purchasing

Risk Assessment in the face of virus pandemic

I have been a project manager for many years, and risk assessment is always a challenge because it requires speculation about an unknown future state or alternate scenarios that depend on some “factors”. I have never had to assess for what to do in case of widespread infection before. Truly scary times! I keep hearing

Contemplation on a rainy day

It’s grey and damp, not unusual for a January day in Virginia. Better off than the poor souls being battered by ice, snow and tornados. The house is quiet with only a lone siren in the distance, interrupted by the train whistle. And then, quiet again, perfect time for some Q3 Important but not urgent