Summer thunderstorms aren’t exactly a new invention; they’ve been around since time began. I was sitting at my usual hangout recently when the sky opened up. Heavy rain and thunder with several flashes of lightning. Then the power goes out. It’s pretty standard stuff for an Ontario, Canada summer with three or four thunderstorms rumblingContinue reading “The Self-Appointed Storm Broadcaster and Boss”
Author Archives: John Berkovich
You’re Not Back Home So Stop Acting Like It
One travel memory that makes me smile doesn’t involve a beach, a famous attraction, or even a great meal. It involved a conversation at the next table. I was on vacation in Cozumel, Mexico, enjoying dinner when a woman at a nearby table started complaining about how long everything was taking. The service wasn’t movingContinue reading “You’re Not Back Home So Stop Acting Like It”
September 1 Is When Summer Suddenly Feels Different
There is something about September 1 in Southern Ontario – and I’m sure in much of the northern USA and the rest of Canada – that happens every year. It can be 78 degrees outside. The trees are still green. You can be wearing shorts and a T-shirt. The forecast might even call for anotherContinue reading “September 1 Is When Summer Suddenly Feels Different”
What Does the Sign Say?
I was sitting at a picnic table outside the local convenience store, enjoying a coffee and the lake view while also watching the steady parade of summer visitors. Beside the store is a small cabin where they sell live bait and all sorts of fishing paraphernalia. Well…sort of. The cabin isn’t actually staffed. If youContinue reading “What Does the Sign Say?”
Kyle Shanahan’s Refreshing Lesson in Accountability
Kyle Shanahan’s accident report was recently released, and it got me thinking about the bigger picture. It’s not often a celebrity or high-profile sports figure makes a mistake and immediately says, “That was my fault.” No blaming the weather or pointing fingers at the other driver. No carefully crafted statement written by a team ofContinue reading “Kyle Shanahan’s Refreshing Lesson in Accountability”
The Sign Isn’t There to Decorate the Entrance
There’s a little ritual that plays out almost every time I’m at my local hangout – and it gets worse when the tourists show up. It starts with two signs. One is a sandwich board outside. The other sits right where the host usually stands. Both say exactly the same thing in large, impossible-to-miss letters:Continue reading “The Sign Isn’t There to Decorate the Entrance”
The Rhythm Behind the Bar
Most people go to a restaurant or bar for the food, the drinks, or the company. So do I. However, sometimes I spend part of my time there just watching the staff work. Not in a creepy way where I hit on them or leer at them when their backs are to me. I don’t.Continue reading “The Rhythm Behind the Bar”
The Faucet That Didn’t Work
The other morning, I turned on the tap and nothing happened. No water. No shower. No shaving. No brushing my teeth. No flushing the toilet. Ugh. Suddenly, my comfortable little home in the Kawarthas felt a lot more like a rustic campsite. Apparently, the water system was being shut down for maintenance. It happens fromContinue reading “The Faucet That Didn’t Work”
Why One Person Talking Drives Me Crazy But a Hundred Doesn’t
There is something about human beings – or maybe it’s just me – that seems to make absolutely no sense. Put me in a room with 100 people talking and I can work just fine. Put me near one person talking loud, and within minutes I’m wondering if duct tape is still sold by theContinue reading “Why One Person Talking Drives Me Crazy But a Hundred Doesn’t”
The Vicious Circle of Wanting What We Don’t Have
Years ago, drummer Charlie Watts was asked about life with the Rolling Stones. His answer wasn’t about fame, money, sold-out stadiums, or celebrity. Instead, he described a problem that many people understand immediately. Because of his work, he had to leave home and spend long periods on the road or in a studio somewhere. TheContinue reading “The Vicious Circle of Wanting What We Don’t Have”
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