• Happy Linus Day!

    Happy Linus Day!

    One year ago, we adopted a rambunctious little brown pupper from a rescue shelter in Ruskin. We named him Linus. Here’s the story about how the little rascal joined our family and changed it forever.  The Complimentary Spouse and I adopted Lucy, also a rescue, in 2013. We talked occasionally…

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  • The Utter Banality of Same-Sex Marriage

    I’ve seen a lot of diverse couples on teevee recently, especially in ads. This is amazing, I thought, because social change happens more quickly when people see examples of diversity in entertainment. In the ’90s, many people met their first gay friends on Will & Grace. Similarly, today, many people…

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  • Some Companies Are Doing Great Things. Don’t Call it “Virtue Signaling.”

    I don’t like the term “virtue signaling” in the business world because it’s often used by conservatives to dismiss the efforts of organizations trying make a positive impact.  Let’s look at Apple. Today, it announced its plans for Black History Month: a limited-edition Black Unity Apple Watch and efforts to…

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  • My Ulterior Motive, Revealed

    You might be wondering if I have any nefarious plans for the Daily Dave. The answer is no.1 I’ve started blogging again for two perfectly cromulent reasons. I want to … If nothing else, the Daily Dave allows me to write for pleasure and learn new things. But I’m also…

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  • The Benefits of Benefits

    If I can summarize my approach to marketing in just three words, it would be this: Benefits beat features. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to sell water or change the world. Focus on the benefits of your product, service, or idea to make an impact with your audience. A…

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  • Articles I Enjoyed About Yesterday’s News

    Yesterday was a momentous day for the United States, and I’ve been reading all the news and analysis I can about it. Here are a few articles that stand out. Heather Cox Richardson: “Letters From an American: January 20, 2021” Richardson is an amazing and perceptive writer. Her daily emails…

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  • Four Lives. Four Tragedies.

    Two New York Times stories about suicide recently caught my attention. The first has to do with the Vessel, the 16-story staircase sculpture at Hudson Yards. Britt and I went there in June 2019, the day before WorldPride. It was closed because of rainy weather, but we were able to…

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  • “When Day Comes, We Step out of the Shade Aflame and Unafraid”

    I studied poetry as an undergrad, but I haven’t given it much thought since graduation.1 I think the last book of poetry I bought was by Walt Whitman at a museum in 2005. It’s probably yellowing now in storage next to books by Shakespeare and Sharon Olds. But, today, my…

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  • Remembering Our Last Trip to D.C.

    All the news out of Washington, D.C., reminds me of the last trip the Complimentary Spouse and I took to the nation’s capital. We participated in the National Pride March and caught up with some friends and family members. Here’s a quick review: While the 2017 trip to Washington was…

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  • “Where Words Fail, Music Speaks.”

    I’m struggling to find the words to describe how happy I am to be an American today. This passionate rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner reflects my newly restored pride. My mom texted me to say she loved Lady Gaga’s performance but “her dress was over the top.” My response: “What…

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