Category: Life & Times
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San Francisco Redux: Tech, Trails, and Tapas
San Francisco, a city I frequent, never ceases to amaze me with its unique blend of tech innovation, natural beauty, and culinary creativity. While challenges like homelessness persist, the city’s true essence remains vibrant and ever-evolving. In my San Francisco redux, I decided to ditch the usual tourist spots and try something different. I wanted…
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Remembering Ashutosh Ojha…
The message from my friend Pillai was cryptic. The subject line read: Ashutosh Ojha 8.2.1956 – 20.4.2024 ? ?. Attached was an unflattering picture of our mutual friend, Ashutosh Ojha. There was no message body. I checked the time, it was nearly midnight. I was sure it was spam. Pillai and I had not been…
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List of Exciting Things to Do in Tromso, Norway
Tromso, nestled amidst the majestic fjords, islands, and mountains of Norway, beckons travelers with its unique blend of Arctic wilderness and urban vibrancy. Often dubbed the “Gateway to the Arctic,” this charming city pulsates with life, offering a kaleidoscope of experiences that go far beyond the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. Here are nine exciting things to…
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When You Are Trapped in an Elevator for Two Hours…
When the lights flickered and the elevator went pitch dark, I didn’t give it a second thought. The nearby Hurontario Light Rail Construction had been causing a few planned and unplanned power outages in our building. I was on my way down to the parking garage when the elevator ground to a halt. “It should…
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Apartment Living: 18 Things to Know Before Downsizing
✏️ Update: November 2, 2024 Ten years ago, when I sold my house and moved into a condominium, I had only positive things to say about the transition. Some of the challenges, costs, and considerations of apartment living were not apparent to me until I started living in one. When living in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings…
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When Friends Get Old, But Friendships Don’t
The shrill calls of the door-to-door vegetable vendor interrupted my thoughts. I had been skimming the newspaper headlines as I sipped tea sitting on the porch of my friend’s house in Chandigarh, India. The greenery around the house and the incessant chirping of the birds provided the perfect backdrop for a lazy morning. As the…
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Can Companies Justify a Return-to-Office Mandate?
It is a classic case of employer-employee misalignment. Over 81% of employees in a recent survey indicated that they enjoyed working from home. Yet, 79% of the survey respondents believe their employers expect them to revert to in-office work soon. That begs the question: Can companies justify a return-to-office mandate? It’s been two years since life…
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Post-Pandemic Air Travel and a New Fear of Flying
Fifteen months, a few untimely deaths in the family, and four COVID variants later, I am ambivalent about post-pandemic air travel. I have a new fear of flying. I try to tell myself that it is business as usual, but I know it’s not. Pandemic-related restrictions have been relaxed, again. Mask-less life should be just…
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EV Charging, Cannabis, Social Distancing – New Costs and Considerations of Condo Living
Eight years ago, when I sold my house and moved into a condominium, I wrote a post titled “Ten things about downsizing to a condo.” This follow-up post on new costs and consideration of condo living is based on my personal experience. Some aspects of condo living become obvious only when you live in one.…
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Nerve Damage Blues – A Career-Ending Tennis Injury Changed My Life
My name is Brant Buckley and I am a USPTA certified Tennis Pro and a Blues musician. Nerve Damage Blues is my story about how a career-ending tennis injury changed my life. I am grateful to be walking again and I am thankful that Blues music helped me pull through. Though I try to make…