Shanghai Notes Late December, 2010 As we arrived in Shanghai today, a colleague from Hong Kong explained to me how Shanghai people and northern Mandarin speakers as a group have “low IQ” because they shout and are generally loud when they speak. Our host and the Buick mini-van driver, both Shanghai guys, were shouting as … [read more]
Narrative
Just A Short Drive From Here
Just A Short Drive From Here By now, after eleven years, my daily drive home should pass by in fifteen uneventful minutes, nearly without notice, with what was once a colorful and adventurous tour of the Front Range of the Rockies having turned grey through routine and repetition. By now I should be able to … [read more]
Rules of the Universe
Twenty Rules of the Universe That I’ve Discovered So Far: A Work in Progress 1. Anything you work at and practice, whether a valuable skill or a bad habit, you will become increasingly adept at. Anything. Be careful what you do more than once. 2. When you find someone who really loves you, it’s a … [read more]
Dog Killer
Dog Killer It began like a baby crying, like many crying babies and like dogs barking. He awoke and sat up, suddenly aware of his heartbeat and the sounds outside. The room was cool and gray. At 6:00 a.m., the summer sun had topped the ridge and the rocky desert mountains lay bleached and baked. … [read more]

