Every endeavor has a lexicon, a specific dictionary of terms recognizable in that field. Many are contractions or acronyms, devised for efficiency. However, lexica are a mine field for speakers, especially if you are addressing audiences without your particular knowledge or experience.Avoid the pitfall of...
There is a tidal wave today of people moving from job to job. Unless you win the lottery or can tolerate the vagaries of being in a startup, you’ll have to face someone across the table or virtual screen for a job interview. It’s not...
Baltimore Ravens NFL quarterback Lamar Jackson is exciting to watch. In only his fourth year in the NFL, Jackson can run and throw with equal skill and has energized the Ravens. Sports commentator Erin Andrews asked Jackson about the source of his success, apart from...
Kate Middleton and Prince William recently hosted a large charity event. (Queen Elizabeth was unable to attend because of poor health.) What did the royals wear? Kate chose a long, sapphire-colored blue gown with spare jewelry. The blue projected calm and communication. William’s navy suit...
Around Halloween, the classic horror film Scream is replayed for new audiences. David played Drew Barrymore’s father in the opening sequence, and the mother’s (Carla Hatley) expression of horror is ranked one of the best film screams of all time.Why are we so attracted to...
We put aside one day a month to explore New Mexico. This has led to many colorful conversations, new acquaintances and a richer familiarity with our state. We recently drove to the town of Jemez Springs, where we met Ben and Geraldine Toya, or Ben and...
“If you slice your thumbnail down your cheek while smiling, it means you are flirting. The same gesture while looking askance means danger.” Thus began the lecture on Italian hand gestures we received from mountain guide Georg on a recent trip to the Dolomites. Georg...
Tenor Robert Dean Smith was appearing in a French production of Tristan and Isolde. His character Tristan had just died. Smith suddenly felt a 467-pound prop rock inches from his face. To the shock of the French audience, Tristan suddenly rose from the dead and...
As a young man, Albert Einstein hated rote drills, memorization and force-fed facts. He found a mentor in Johann Pestalozzi who encouraged him to visualize scientific concepts. This revolutionary way of problem solving led to Einstein’s “thought experiments” and became a significant aspect of his...
We were speaking with Napa friends Jeff and Kari about the 2021 wine harvest. Kari is the Winemaker at Cornerstone Cellars. Jeff is a Wine Educator. Right now, grape varietals are ready to be harvested, requiring many hands for picking. Jeff supported Kari and did...