Why are we bad at asking for things? The older you get the harder it is to write a straightforward Christmas list; a simple, readable ledger of the things you unabashedly want. There’s so many pseudo-lists out there brainstorming ideas for him and her, for mom and dad, and the dog. We wouldn’t need anyContinue reading “Considering Christmas Lists”
Author Archives: Matt Balleza
For the Christmas Romantics
A little story. One of the ordinary, overlooked pleasures in life is remembering old times; to stroll down memory lane and swoon under old mistletoe. We live so much of our lives staring forward and glancing backward, Yuletide offers a chance to flip the script; to glance forward and stare backward. In this spirit IContinue reading “For the Christmas Romantics”
Houdini of the Holidays
The man who ditched emails for eggnog. This is the holiday swing — the Bermuda Triangle of the calendar year, when people leave the office for lunch and don’t return; when 8 tabs are open on the work laptop and 7 of them are Amazon, Wayfair, and a minimalist baking blog; when hand-wringing salesmen tryContinue reading “Houdini of the Holidays”
The Busy Kitchen Principle
Are you stuck? Fire up the stove. This past weekend we had another mediocre brunch at a restaurant we’ve been flirting with for months, trying desperately to like, but failing all the same. The trouble is, it won’t flirt back. I won’t name names, but it’s one of those cool, fresh, fun, Whole Foodsy kindContinue reading “The Busy Kitchen Principle”
Is Narrow-Mindedness a Vice?
I’ve noticed the term ‘narrow-minded’ is used exclusively as a slander, to describe people who cannot see beyond a given frame of reference, who are prone to rigidity and overly dogmatic in their perspectives. This is an unfortunate curse of words. Narrowness considered by itself is no dishonor and considered in light of human abilityContinue reading “Is Narrow-Mindedness a Vice?”
To See or Not to See
The Benefit of Blind Spots My thoughts on this are still fledging, but here, sandbox style, are a few of the dots I’m connecting: 1. Blind spots are generally regarded as a Bad Thing. Which is understandable. Blind spots on cars are safety liabilities that engineers try to mitigate. Organizations have blind spots that preventContinue reading “To See or Not to See”
The Wisdom of Blinds
I began thinking about blinds, those wise contraptions above windows. The other day I sat down to write and the afternoon sun was gushing through the window. The desk was hot as a frying pan, the papers were glaring. Everything was white; sizzling, dazzling, searing obnoxious white. Not like heaven, like hell. It was unworkable.Continue reading “The Wisdom of Blinds”
Ode to Halloween
My trick or treating days are over: to some extent. I won’t be capering around the neighborhood with my pillowcase full of nerd ropes and midnight milky ways. The treat for me these days is just to be out, stomping around the block, admiring how well my neighbor’s houses play dress us for the spookyContinue reading “Ode to Halloween”
Something Better than Fridays
Something better than Fridays, you say…? In one of her essays, the writer Annie Dillard describes an idyllic day in the life of some English aristocrat. A Lord Something or other — who spent sumptuous afternoons on his regal country estate shooting quail and smoking delicious cigars and horseback riding and then reposing at eveningContinue reading “Something Better than Fridays”
Botoxing Our Souls – pt. 1
What happens when we lose the rhythm? A dip in the road does not mean the road is bad. It just means it’s a road. Zest for life, for work, for relationships, for the upcoming trip, for the new hobby inevitably wanes. The big idea, which we worshipped one day we weary of the next.Continue reading “Botoxing Our Souls – pt. 1”
show & tell 