Category: Commonplace Book

Swanson’s Unwritten Rules

Came across this through the wonderful Waiter Rant blog: CEOs say how you treat a waiter can predict a lot about character. Bill Swanson, the CEO of Raytheon, lists this as rule 32 in his Unwritten Rules of Management (a list of maxims) and adds, “This rule never fails.” Makes sense to me. Isn’t this… Continue reading Swanson’s Unwritten Rules

Ballade of Indignation

by Gail White I’m driving through New Mexico, let’s say, facing the glories of the setting sun. But just before I get to Santa Fe there you are, stranger, with your ganglion sized brain and SUV that weighs a ton, paying no mind to sunset’s golden crown, but nitter-nattering ninety-nine to one… so would you… Continue reading Ballade of Indignation

The Purpose of Time is to Prevent Everything from Happening at Once

Suppose your life a folded telescope Durationless, collapsed in just a flash As from your mother’s womb you, bawling, drop Into a nursing home. Suppose you crash Your car, your marriage—toddler laying waste A field of daisies, schoolkid, zit-faced teen With lover zipping up your pants in haste Hearing your parents’ tread downstairs—all one. Einstein… Continue reading The Purpose of Time is to Prevent Everything from Happening at Once

“Find yourself a cup; the

“Find yourself a cup; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things.” — Saki; used as the banner quote for What’s Brewing, the blog with an adorable URL.