1. A day trip idea. Go to your local bus station interchange, center of downtown, etc. Don't take a tablet, laptop and turn off your phone. Find a place to sit and just watch people. Heck, even make up stories about people you see. Best free entertainment you'll get.
2. A year long quest. From the ideas posted here, write them down on individual pieces of paper the ones you like and put them in a fishbowl. Then for the rest of the year, if you come across a place, write it down and fishbowl it. When it comes time for your vacation, you'll have no idea where you're going until the day you leave and pull out a couple slips of paper.
You see, there are so many great places, so many little known places that you can get overwhelmed about where to go. Don't stress, fishbowl it. Oh, and guess what. By not planning, you're sure to run across something you can tell Bill about when he asks again.
Being a former newspaper guy, it might be interesting to see what happened to some of the larger newspaper offices for papers that have either closed or been sold. Real estate is one of the reasons hedge funds bought many papers since they have offices in lucrative downtown locations. How was the space repurposed?
A topic I've been pondering recently: Retirement. More specifically, I'd love to see some discussion and stories about how people have approached the blank slate of almost unlimited time afforded when they no longer need to work to live, and how to ensure they make the best possible use of newfound (but daunting) freedom to do literally anything?
I started my business in a tiny 4th floor walkup on W. 81st St. in New York. It was later the same block where Jerry Seinfeld (the fictional Jerry) lived on his show, only a door or two away. I had a sign made with the name of the business posted on my door. Later I took the sign with me and used it wherever I moved. I still have it.
I like Loren's retirement topic. All of us have been there or are going there. I for one, did not enjoy it twice for more than a few months and went back to work twice, where I am now actually having more fun again. For a few years i hope, until I try retirement again. As they say, if you don't succeed at first, try, try again.
How to make retirement/not working more enjoyable/meaningful. How to make work more enjoyable/meaningful. You are either working or not. Essentially how to make the best use of your time on the third rock from the sun. (Lots of great writing in that show and who can forget Mork and Mindy?)
Entrepreneurial ideas for those wanting to try it on for size. Very daunting. I have been there most of my life without a manual, kinda like raising children. Maybe offering mentoring opportunities.
Now that i mentioned it, maybe child raising tips or forums. How to make that fun and meaningful. I have always enjoyed it for 36 years, but lots of effort required. Much more than work and a tougher job with less appreciation and zero training in advance. Seat of the pants stuff really.
You used to write many hard to find feel good stories with a lesson, i don't think i see them anymore. Like the lady writing the president, some people in wars, lady entrepreneur on a bike etc. And also book reviews with follow up interviews. The guy on wall street took fun to a whole new level. 5 Yankees tickets so he could smoke!!
That was why I subscribed. Feel good stories with a lesson I could learn from and live by.
Thanks for all the great writing, always asking your clients what they want and delivering.
make it a goal to spend some time outside and away from others for at least a day. I'm from northern MN the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). Cell coverage isn't good, but you don't need it. Get a permit (needed for the BWCA entry), a canoe, some dehydrated food, and a tent. Paddle out on a lake where you don't see people, but may see a moose and other wildlife. The quiet will be overwhelming at first, but welcome after a few hours. All your senses will be heightened. When you come back to civilization, you will welcome a good meal, bed and hot shower.
I enjoy your daily comments just like I enjoyed Mike Rowe’s “The Way I Heard It” because it’s short and interesting. But, Mike got too wordy and I don’t have the time - always. keep your daily offering like it is - short. Thank You
I have no ideas. I read several different newsletters because I enjoy different viewpoints. Males me remember that there is more than just my POV and sometimes my view is looking at the wrong view
I love the fact that the Maine School for Science and Mathematics in Limestone is on your map. My son will be attending starting in the fall, and we feel privileged to have such an amazing opportunity for him right here in our home state. Go Maine!
Bill: I ask if you might help change the world for the better, by discussing - on occasion - national trends that are not good, and how readers might help reverse them. I realize this means some politically charged topics, but you could present a balance. For example: see increasing gun deaths in US, charted at https://www.thetrace.org/2021/12/gun-violence-data-stats-2021/. As the only nation with gun "freedom," are we on the right path? Are there common-sense reforms, and ways to enact them?
Following up on your FDA and menthol cigarettes item. (Maybe) 25 years ago, the FDA was given the authority by Congress to control the nicotine levels in cigarettes. They could have immediately lowered nicotine levels to a sub-addictive level, but the never did. Why?
Has everything since then been “health theater?” Why not do the one thing that would really create change, instead of warnings, flavors, etc.?
Have been curious how many businesses have been started by people while working their computers at Starbucks
Two thoughts.
1. A day trip idea. Go to your local bus station interchange, center of downtown, etc. Don't take a tablet, laptop and turn off your phone. Find a place to sit and just watch people. Heck, even make up stories about people you see. Best free entertainment you'll get.
2. A year long quest. From the ideas posted here, write them down on individual pieces of paper the ones you like and put them in a fishbowl. Then for the rest of the year, if you come across a place, write it down and fishbowl it. When it comes time for your vacation, you'll have no idea where you're going until the day you leave and pull out a couple slips of paper.
You see, there are so many great places, so many little known places that you can get overwhelmed about where to go. Don't stress, fishbowl it. Oh, and guess what. By not planning, you're sure to run across something you can tell Bill about when he asks again.
Being a former newspaper guy, it might be interesting to see what happened to some of the larger newspaper offices for papers that have either closed or been sold. Real estate is one of the reasons hedge funds bought many papers since they have offices in lucrative downtown locations. How was the space repurposed?
A topic I've been pondering recently: Retirement. More specifically, I'd love to see some discussion and stories about how people have approached the blank slate of almost unlimited time afforded when they no longer need to work to live, and how to ensure they make the best possible use of newfound (but daunting) freedom to do literally anything?
3 difficult but incredibly important conversations to have
and to expect them to be ongoing, not one offs
1. race
2, inequity
3. legacy
I'm interested in the details others will supply for these
Homeless - What are some ideas on how to help with this universal opportunity. Seems it’s discussed at length, yet we haven’t yet figured out the fix
Since I've seen you you're interested in Entrepreneurs it would be great if you could highlight one once a month.
I started my business in a tiny 4th floor walkup on W. 81st St. in New York. It was later the same block where Jerry Seinfeld (the fictional Jerry) lived on his show, only a door or two away. I had a sign made with the name of the business posted on my door. Later I took the sign with me and used it wherever I moved. I still have it.
Hi Bill
I like Loren's retirement topic. All of us have been there or are going there. I for one, did not enjoy it twice for more than a few months and went back to work twice, where I am now actually having more fun again. For a few years i hope, until I try retirement again. As they say, if you don't succeed at first, try, try again.
How to make retirement/not working more enjoyable/meaningful. How to make work more enjoyable/meaningful. You are either working or not. Essentially how to make the best use of your time on the third rock from the sun. (Lots of great writing in that show and who can forget Mork and Mindy?)
Entrepreneurial ideas for those wanting to try it on for size. Very daunting. I have been there most of my life without a manual, kinda like raising children. Maybe offering mentoring opportunities.
Now that i mentioned it, maybe child raising tips or forums. How to make that fun and meaningful. I have always enjoyed it for 36 years, but lots of effort required. Much more than work and a tougher job with less appreciation and zero training in advance. Seat of the pants stuff really.
You used to write many hard to find feel good stories with a lesson, i don't think i see them anymore. Like the lady writing the president, some people in wars, lady entrepreneur on a bike etc. And also book reviews with follow up interviews. The guy on wall street took fun to a whole new level. 5 Yankees tickets so he could smoke!!
That was why I subscribed. Feel good stories with a lesson I could learn from and live by.
Thanks for all the great writing, always asking your clients what they want and delivering.
Michael
The difference between "nice" and "kind"...I think "nice" is much easier, but "kind" comes from the heart.
make it a goal to spend some time outside and away from others for at least a day. I'm from northern MN the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). Cell coverage isn't good, but you don't need it. Get a permit (needed for the BWCA entry), a canoe, some dehydrated food, and a tent. Paddle out on a lake where you don't see people, but may see a moose and other wildlife. The quiet will be overwhelming at first, but welcome after a few hours. All your senses will be heightened. When you come back to civilization, you will welcome a good meal, bed and hot shower.
I enjoy your daily comments just like I enjoyed Mike Rowe’s “The Way I Heard It” because it’s short and interesting. But, Mike got too wordy and I don’t have the time - always. keep your daily offering like it is - short. Thank You
I have no ideas. I read several different newsletters because I enjoy different viewpoints. Males me remember that there is more than just my POV and sometimes my view is looking at the wrong view
I love the fact that the Maine School for Science and Mathematics in Limestone is on your map. My son will be attending starting in the fall, and we feel privileged to have such an amazing opportunity for him right here in our home state. Go Maine!
Bill: I ask if you might help change the world for the better, by discussing - on occasion - national trends that are not good, and how readers might help reverse them. I realize this means some politically charged topics, but you could present a balance. For example: see increasing gun deaths in US, charted at https://www.thetrace.org/2021/12/gun-violence-data-stats-2021/. As the only nation with gun "freedom," are we on the right path? Are there common-sense reforms, and ways to enact them?
Following up on your FDA and menthol cigarettes item. (Maybe) 25 years ago, the FDA was given the authority by Congress to control the nicotine levels in cigarettes. They could have immediately lowered nicotine levels to a sub-addictive level, but the never did. Why?
Has everything since then been “health theater?” Why not do the one thing that would really create change, instead of warnings, flavors, etc.?