10/12/2020 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 18 “Tchotchke-free Zones” By Bruce Williams As my wife puts out the Halloween decorations, I chuckle when she hovers around my chair trying to gently place a small faux pumpkin on the adjoining bookshelf.  “No…just no,” I intone without looking up, as I curmudgeonly shake my head and…

10/5/2020 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 17 “On Mullets” By Bruce Williams Perhaps the greatest haircut of the 20th Century was the mullet.  Since I’ve mentioned this particular hairstyle in several previous columns, I thought it only fair to give it its own platform and due homage.  Popularized in the late 70’s and embraced…

9/28/2020 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 16 “In Defense of My 3 Evictions” By Bruce Williams You may not know this, but in my 20’s I was a bit of a drinker.  Seventeen years sober now, I’m able to look back at some of the inebriated inanities caused by my misuse of that old,…

9/21/2020 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 15 “The Phone Call” By Bruce Williams I was at work when I got the phone call—my Dad’s wife was calling me in hysterics, barely recognizable through her rhythmic wailing and thick Korean accent.  I paused her briefly to transfer the call to our back room for privacy,…

9/14/2020 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 14 “Door-To-Door” Seattle Times By Bruce Williams I came to Seattle from Olympia (to attend UW) in 1985 after graduating from high school.  Within a week I had a job selling subscriptions for the iconic local newspaper.  I went to work for Bob, the chain-smoking (Belair menthols) Sales…

9/7/2020 9/7/20 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 13 “The Geezer Guide to Social Media” By Bruce Williams Raising a teen and a ‘tween and trying to keep up with the times can be a little daunting these days.  During the stay-at-home directive, they have become increasingly dedicated to their phones, iPads and the Xbox,…

8/31/20 “That Got Me To Thinkin’…?” Chapter 12 “The Diagnosis” By Bruce Williams Around age 2 ½ we began to become concerned about our son’s lack of speaking skills.  He was only using about five words and generally communicating by pointing effusively at whatever it was that he was interested in at the moment.  His…

I think everybody should work at a restaurant at some point in their lives, especially those I overhear berating a server or witness neglecting to leave a tip.  Only then will they realize the head-shaking disdain they receive in the kitchen, and the perilous tightrope of contamination-free entrees that they walk.  Especially the ones sending…

I was floundering for a topic this week when I came across an unfinished list I’d started a while back regarding the parameters of male friendship for a guy my age.  Have you heard the White Stripes’ song “We’re Going to Be Friends”?  Well just insert a “Not” between the “We’re” and the “Going” if…

8/10/20 “That Got me to Thinking…?” Chapter 9 “The Commute” By Bruce Williams      Bruce Williams   I commute for 45 minutes into Bellevue most days, giving me ample time to observe and note several tendencies of my fellow travelers—things I’ll chuckle at, grow disgusted with or avoid altogether.  Here are just a few…