A New Endeavor – Social Savvy Sage

This is by far the most putting-myself-out-there-est endeavor I’ve taken on: I’m taking all my years as a teacher/professional speaker/interpersonal communications guru/dating and relationships writer/dating advice giver, and mashing them all up into a new service called Social Savvy Sage.

On the surface, I’m putting myself up as a dating coach. Woot woot. Okay, yeah.

But … unlike so many other dating coaches out there …… Read More A New Endeavor – Social Savvy Sage

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Another difference between liberals and conservatives

My general life philosophy is that we’re all human beings, and we just need to learn to communicate better with each other. This philosophy does not, however, preclude the possibility of there being actual biological differences between different groups of people.

No, we are not all the same.

Yes, it absolutely does open up a huge can of worms to even consider that there might be basic biological differences between, say, the different human ethnicities (yes, I am aware that “race” and “ethnicity” are often social constructs; no, they are not always social constructs), or the different genders (yes, I am aware that science is now realizing that gender is fluid; no, that doesn’t mean there aren’t different genders).… Read More Another difference between liberals and conservatives

Dennis Hong6 Comments

I was a bully

I used to have a nasty temper. In fact, my nickname at my college fraternity was “Little Angry Man.” (It was also “Tabasco” and “Rollerboy,” but those are other stories.)

Over the past 20 years, though, I’ve worked hard to keep my temper in check. I’ve learned not to let things get to me, and I’m proud to say that I haven’t gotten angry at anyone for at least 15 years now.

That is, until just a few weeks ago …… Read More I was a bully

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You shouldn’t care that Trump supporters were offended by NPR

When you vilify your opponent by presenting the most extreme, most irrational position from the other side, it’s easy to feel smug and believe that your position is the obvious one.

The problem is, doing so only diverts our collective attention from the issues that actually matter. Think about it this way: If you truly hate our current president, and you oppose every policy he has and every inch of his very being, how does this little anecdote help you advance your cause?… Read More You shouldn’t care that Trump supporters were offended by NPR

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RTFM

A few months ago, I decided to run a little experiment, to see how serious people are about getting their blurbs published. So, I created a page with submission tips, and I left a little Easter Egg in there, as a way to reinforce people who RTFM.

Since I put up that page, I’ve received probably a hundred blurb submissions. Do you know how many demonstrated that they found the Easter Egg?… Read More RTFM

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‘Til Jail Do Us Part

We had such a grand ole’ time that she puked in the Uber on the way home, and then pretty much passed out on the curb outside our house.

Okay, not a big deal … yet.

Well, okay. It’s a slightly big deal. Like specifically, 150 dollar-sized deals. But whatever. I also once puked in an Uber that Melissa had called and ended up getting fined for, so now we were even.

No, the big deal arrived after I finally got her back into the house, into the bathroom, and draped over the toilet …… Read More ‘Til Jail Do Us Part

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I Empathize with Trump Supporters (and You Should, too)

I’ll even wager that you yourself have friends you didn’t realize are Trump supporters. If you discover one, don’t shame them. Ask them, sincerely and openly, how they came to their decision. Because the ones who are least vocal about their support are probably the ones with the most compelling reasons for actually supporting him. These are the people who get what an asshole he is, yet believe they still need to vote for him. These are the people you should be engaging.

That’s how you change minds, you know. By connecting to them. Not by pounding them into submission.… Read More I Empathize with Trump Supporters (and You Should, too)

Dennis Hong5 Comments

I’m a Sanders Supporter, and I Might Just Vote for Trump

A Clinton Presidency represents the old establishment winning yet again. A Trump Presidency represents the people throwing a giant, orange-skinned, tiny-handed middle finger at the establishment.

A Sanders Presidency would have represented the possibility of change, to me at least. Because Sanders is enough of an outsider to challenge the establishment, but also has the experience to maybe, just maybe get something done within it when necessary.… Read More I’m a Sanders Supporter, and I Might Just Vote for Trump

Dennis Hong5 Comments

Do animals grieve?

In the weeks since Marley’s death, Biscuit has been acting differently. Before, he would spend most of the day huddled quietly somewhere, but now, he paces around the house, meowing and meowing incessantly (oddly enough, just like Marley used to do). He’s much needier now, too, and actively seeks out affection from Melissa. He even rolls over on his back and lets her scratch him. This is something he never used to do.

Biscuit’s change in behavior has made us wonder if he’s sad or freaked out about Marley. Does he know what happened to him? Is that why he was howling when Marley died? When he wanders around the house now, is he looking for his brother?… Read More Do animals grieve?

Dennis Hong4 Comments