Category: Life & Times
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Driving While Canadian (and Brown): My Potential Tesla Road Trip to the US
I was shopping for cheap airfares to Chicago when my wife piped up, “We should make it a road trip.” “I’ll drive,” she added, preempting any objections that I might have. My wife’s a good driver, albeit a tad lead-footed. She knows I do not enjoy driving. To me, it’s just a means to an…
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My Athleisure Awakening – Are Suits Truly Obsolete?
It’s been ages since I last wore a suit—a wedding reception two years ago, and a somber funeral before that. Staring at those expensive suits hanging untouched in my closet, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll ever see the light of day again. They feel like relics of a bygone era. My daily reality…
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Rethinking Non-Alcoholic Beer: A Social Shift
Ok, so I was wrong. Eight years ago I wrote an article titled “Meatless Burgers and Non-alcoholic Beer.” It was an I-don’t-really-get-it post, laced with a dose of skepticism. Truth be told, when I grabbed that six-pack of non-alcoholic Budweiser Prohibition Brew, it was more for a blog photo op than any genuine interest in…
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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…