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  • Dishwasher wanted, starting salary $30K

    I graduated from architecture school with the rest of my friends, but while they started jobs at various firms on the east coast, I headed west. My best friend, Will, had landed a job as at a ski resort in Colorado and promised me a job at the resort if I joined him. When I…

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  • One Night in Astoria

    I had convinced my boss to split the cost a hotel room in Astoria because I had a 7am pickup there the next morning, and I didn’t want to have to leave Portland at five for an all day tour and return back to Portland the same day. It was close to sunset when I…

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  • At fifty

    At fifty

    At forty, I realized I could be half way through my life. I’d been married ten years, and eating dinner in front of the TV was considered our “quality time”. While it was comfortable, I had to ask myself if this is how I wanted to spend the second half of my life. I felt…

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  • You’re so lucky

    People often tell me I’m lucky to have the life I have. For instance, the other day in the elevator a guy offered me a voucher for a free drink after we had ridden together for 30 seconds. Some would say it is luck. I say it’s attitude. I had chosen to engage the man…

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  • Bahía Asunción: A secret revealed

    Bahía Asunción: A secret revealed

    Last year, I wrote of my secret getaway spot in the Philippines, a destination I will continue to keep a secret. This year I will be a bit kinder and tell you about my secret getaway spot in Mexico. Not that it will help you. The journey to get there involves some of the most…

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  • The value of humility

    I was discussing different cultures with a fellow traveler from the Philippines, and she asked me the question, “what do you think is the biggest shortcoming of Americans?” It only took a moment for me to reply, “humility”. A slow grin spread across her face. She was pleased and surprised that I’d come up with…

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