Category: prompts
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Choosing to Be the Villain
What do you do when you’re forced to choose between a dying parent and a pregnant partner? In this reflective look back at a 10-year family rift, I explore why I chose to be the “villain” in my family’s story to be the hero in my own home. A story…
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The Hoverboard Hoax: A Lesson in Cinematic Optimism
Was the Back to the Future hoverboard real? Discover the history of the “Hoverboard Hoax” and Robert Zemeckis’ legendary prank. This post looks back at the 1989 vision of 2015, the “Audacity of Potential,” and how movie magic fueled a lifelong fascination with the future.
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The Great Equalizer
What is the difference between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean? For me, it’s the salt in the air and the ‘communion with nature’ that happens in the surf. Read my reflections on the ‘boating culture’ of South Carolina, why the ocean is the ultimate teacher of perspective, and…
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Ring Cameras and Red Bags: Why I Can’t Be a Criminal
Would you keep a suitcase of money or turn it in? From airport toilet mysteries to Ring camera surveillance, Rob breaks down the ultimate morality test. What’s your price?
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The Squad Car vs. The Smartphone: Why Gen X Parents Can’t Let Go
As Gen Xers, we survived childhoods of garden hoses and no helmets. So why are we now the generation of “helicopter parents”? A look at the squad car vs. the smartphone.
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The Breadcrumb Audit
At 51, I’ve realized that anything less than 100% of the life I want is just breadcrumbs. In this installment of the Road to 1,000 Days, I audit my relationships—from the ‘one who got away’ to the ‘art of moving slowly’—and discover a powerful Option C. If a relationship isn’t…
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What Bugs Me: A Short List With a Long Memory
In this reflective post, Rob explores the thin line between being aggressive and being assertive. From the “teacher in me” tackling willful ignorance to creating a “Sanctuary Classroom” for the outsiders, he shares why he no longer has patience for bullies and how he’s building the environment he once needed…
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The Temptation of the Out: Utility vs. Visibility
At 51, temptation isn’t about forbidden fruit anymore—it’s the urge to trade your peace for a traditional role that requires you to be invisible. Facing an ’18-year horizon,’ Rob explores the tension between being ‘useful’ and being seen, and why he’s finally choosing himself over social expectations.
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Sunday is borrowed time
Why does Sunday feel like a 24-hour loan with high interest? From 1980s Detroit Lions nostalgia to the 5:00 PM transition of visitation weekends, I’m exploring the weight of “borrowed time” and the ritual of putting the teacher armor back on.
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Teacher Armor and the Saturday Clearing
As a teacher, a two-day weekend is a delicate balance. Explore why the “Saturday Clearing” is the 48-hour sweet spot for recovery, how to manage the “Teacher Armor” that keeps us going during the week, and why every working-class stiff needs a specific window to reclaim their space.
Rebuilding Rob 