Tag Archives: culture

A Friendly Little Question, and Other Ways to Start a Bar Fight

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Sunday’s WordPress prompt asks which public figure I disagree with the most. That sounds thoughtful until you realize it’s less a writing prompt than a folding chair being slid across the floor at a town hall meeting. Continue reading →

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A Welcome Break from Risk Assessment

Posted on April 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

After two straight days of writing about risks, I’m grateful for a question that allows a little more room to breathe — and maybe a better conversation too. Continue reading →

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Friday: How would you improve your community?

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

If I were going to improve my community, I wouldn’t start with some giant government program, a ribbon cutting, or a slogan painted on a sign near the interstate. Communities usually don’t struggle because they lack slogans. They struggle because … Continue reading →

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Do I need a break? Oh yes. From this.

Posted on February 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

We all need a break from something — deadlines, laundry, that creeping Tuesday-afternoon dread. But the thing I’m most desperate to escape isn’t exhaustion or overwork. It’s the willful, proudly uninformed nonsense that seems to dominate conversations, headlines, and daily life. This is a plea for sanity… or at least a short vacation from stupidity. Continue reading →

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Semantic Whiplash: When Words Change Faster Than Meaning

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Language evolves—but not at the speed of a viral trend. I’m inventing a phrase for the very thing I’d like to un-invent: semantic whiplash, when words are reassigned overnight and everyone pretends that’s progress. Continue reading →

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The Trip That Stays With Me: Why Hawaii Still Tops My List

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

If I had to pick one place that stands above every other trip I’ve taken, it’s Hawaii. Our 2017 visit had it all — beauty, history, family, unforgettable food, and a few chaotic moments that somehow made the whole experience even more memorable. From staying on Ford Island in the heart of Pearl Harbor to exploring island culture, tasting incredible local dishes, and standing at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, it was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of week. Continue reading →

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The Sore Thumb, but Grateful for the Experience

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Douglas Blaine

Probably close to 15 years ago, my family was invited to attend the Quinceanera of a girl from our church. We had gotten to know both her and her older brother because I was the leader of the youth group … Continue reading →

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