Author Archives: stephenschrum

Pass the Gin!

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you. When I was an undergrad at Temple University, I would generally take the bus both ways to visit home. Oddly enough, someone else I met at my first college also transferred to the same program and at the same time as me.Continue reading “Pass the Gin!”

Decisions, Decisions

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow. I’d say I’ve never been very adventurous…until this century. I usually played it safe with investments, job moves, and life decisions. Putting off having a child until achieving some measure of financial solvency and health insurance probably delayed the process tooContinue reading “Decisions, Decisions”

Arriving Somewhere…Not Here…

What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why? In the run-up to the last election, I posted a short video on TikTok, asking, “What are you for?” So many people were posting what they were against, and I thought I’d take a more positive approach. The one longer comment I gotContinue reading “Arriving Somewhere…Not Here…”

It’s a New Car!

Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you. When I was in high school, I couldn’t wait to get my driver’s license. And when I did, my aunt decided that she could buy me a car so I could get back and forth to school. She couldn’t afford much so she wentContinue reading “It’s a New Car!”

Strike A Melodramatic Pose

When working on Audio Chimera podcast Episode #67 “My Job’s Not Better Than Yours,” I found myself describing a pose I’ve often seen by those who consider themselves upper class; the elbow is raised and the arm is held at a 90 degree angle to the body while holding a drinking glass. Here’s a photoContinue reading “Strike A Melodramatic Pose”

10 Years On…

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Today’s prompt provides an interesting question. When someone asks a young (or younger) person, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years,?”the answer is usually linked to ambition. Better job, higher wages, fulfilling career. But when you reach my age, newly retired, the focus is, well, slightlyContinue reading “10 Years On…”

5 Happy Things

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness? I think today’s prompt can lead either to someone singing “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” or providing a trite list of pleasant itemsIand occurrences. My singing voice is not good right now (where did i pick up a sore throat?) so I’d betterContinue reading “5 Happy Things”

The Shape of It

Describe something you learned in high school. In past blog posts, and in my memoir, Immaculate Misconceptions: Tales of Catholic School, I’ve talked about how freshmen Biology ruined science for me, and then I had an inspiring teacher who turned me on to literature and art. So I don’t need to repeat myself. Again. SoContinue reading “The Shape of It”

Positive Change

Describe one positive change you have made in your life. For years I ate what I felt like at the time. Today is Chipotle day! Let’s go with a friend to Red Robin! I feel like pizza! I also didn’t like looking in the mirror and seeing the growing gut. I know it’s typical; “middle-agedContinue reading “Positive Change”