Category: prompts
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Confessions of a Closeted Nerd
I spent my high school years as a ‘closet nerd,’ hiding my love for Star Trek and comics to survive the social hierarchy of 1992. Now, at 51, I’m looking at a world where geeks own the box office—and I’m finally realizing that the ‘cool kids’ I was hiding from…
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The Digital Body Language Gap: Why Texting is a Battlefield
In a world of instant notifications, we’ve forgotten that a text is an invitation, not a summons. From navigating high-conflict ‘breadcrumbs’ to the tactical use of the ‘message preview,’ here is why I’ve learned that sometimes, the most powerful reply is silence. Exploring the steep learning curve of modern texting…
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The Pulse, The Teacher, and the Decompression
I spend more time with my students than anyone else. While they keep my “with-it-ness” sharp and my wit fast, being a teacher in 2026 requires a specific mindset that takes weeks to decompress from. Exploring the line between “what I do” and “who I am” during midwinter break.
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The Armor and the Sword: Learning to Adult for Myself
I tell my students that growing up means doing things you don’t want to do. But for years, I avoided the hardest “adult” task of all: being direct. From “falling on the sword” to protect a false peace to realizing that my “Teacher Armor” is actually who I am, I’m…
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The 250-Year Clock: Finding Hope at the Breaking Point
Empires rarely last more than 250 years, and as we approach that exact milestone, the air feels heavy with the weight of a breaking point. From the “proverbial left hand” of political distraction to the visceral fear of the “guy next door,” I’m exploring why finding our collective “Option C”…
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The Paper Station: My First Taste of the Hustle
Before smartphones and the 24-hour news cycle, the morning paper was the neighborhood’s lifeline. From the “50s—no filler” days to the art of the $1.65 collection, I’m looking back at the grit, the dogs, and the business lessons of my very first job.
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The Lie I Tell Myself to Get Through the Week
I’ve been everywhere, man.” From urban survival to suburban perks, I’ve taught in nearly every environment imaginable. But currently, I’m navigating a ‘bridge era’ where the curriculum is digital and the human element is fading. I love my job, but I’m tired of being a glorified lab supervisor. This is…
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Building the Empire Too Early
I missed out on the classic “college experience” of dorms, roommates, and random parties—but it was entirely self-inflicted. Looking back, I realize I was trying to build an empire too early, making a relationship the center of my universe before I even knew who I was. Now, in my “extra…
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The Responsibility of The Long Goodbye
What responsibility did you think would be gone by now? For me, it’s a dark confession: the care of my mother. I’m exploring the brutal reality of the “long goodbye,” the contrast between my father’s “wildfire” passing and Mother’s resilience, and why I’m choosing to stay present for every “extra…
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The Spontaneity Spectrum
Is spontaneity a gift or just a survival strategy? I’ve long called myself the Prince of Procrastination, but I’m realizing my brain actually thrives on the “deadline spark.” From hospital emergencies to planning a dream baseball road trip, I’m exploring the “Tricorder” perspective of navigating life with a neurodivergent rhythm.…
Rebuilding Rob 