Friends, Enemies, and the Psychological Warfare of the “Frenemy” Life used to be simple. You had people you liked (Friends) and people you’d fight in a parking lot (Enemies). But then, society invented the “Frenemy,” and suddenly we all need a degree in international diplomacy just to go to brunch. 1. Friends: The “I’ll Delete […]
A lesson about public behavior. A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I went to a movie at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Our film was showing in one of the smaller theaters, and by the time we arrived, seating options were limited. As I walked toward the front of the theater, several of […]
By Jerry Zezima I used to think, because I’m a kid at heart, and even more so at head, that I have the maturity level of a 9-year-old. But I don’t think so anymore because a 9-year-old, who happens to be one of my grandchildren, thinks my jokes are stupid. This was made abundantly clear […]
REMEMBER REMEMBERING? Smart Again is a brain supplement that is made from all un-natural ingredients that will help reduce your cognitive decline and heighten your mental acuity in just a few minutes.Unbelievable! That’s what I thought. But, after taking Smart Again I’ve stopped yelling at my neighbors kids, I can find my car in the […]
By Jerry Zezima When it comes to household chores, I work for free. And I’m worth every penny. But since I’m on a fixed income, I am thinking of charging for my services. “You don’t do anything,” said my wife, Sue, who is the family banker. “That’s not true,” I replied defensively. “What do you […]
By Jerry Zezima Since I am in the holiday spirit (and, having just consumed a mug of hot toddy, a glass of eggnog and a nip of cheer, the holiday spirits are in me), I have decided to follow in that great tradition of boring everyone silly by writing a Christmas letter. That is why […]
By Jerry Zezima I may not be the chief cook in my house (that would be my wife, Sue, without whom I would have starved to death long ago), but I am the chief bottle washer. And I don’t wash only bottles. I also clean glasses, mugs, cups, saucers, bowls, plates, pots, pans, tongs, whisks, […]
The scene – I was sitting at my desk Googling “gratitude” poems and prompts to share with clients and LinkedIn contacts. Google search promptly sent back this response. “Themes for humorous gratitude poems could include”: Technology Fails: Being thankful for a slow computer or a bad Wi-Fi connection because it forced you to go outside […]
By Jerry Zezima For a double-visionary like me, the daily dilemma is not whether I can’t find my eyeglasses, in which case I would need a pair in order to find them, but why I forgot to bring them upstairs so I can see well enough to write drivel like this. Until a few months […]
We’re heading into peak “So, what do you do?” and “How are you doing?” season with family gatherings, holiday parties, end-of-year events, and alumni mixers. Here’s how to handle it with strategy, story, and humor. 1⃣ Lead with Your Story, Not Your Job Instead of opening with “I’ve been laid off” or your title, share […]
