I wrote this entry in one creative burst, something I rarely do in a piece this long, with barely an edit except for the odd typo. The roughly 1,600 words that follow are raw and visceral at times, and I likely could have written more … maybe in a part two if I’m so inclined.Continue reading “Watching the Slow Fade in a Barstool Life And Then Some”
Author Archives: John Berkovich
Why the Bar Regulars Get Away With Almost Everything (and Shouldn’t Always)
If you’ve spent any time at a local bar or restaurant, you’ve probably noticed something curious: there’s a small group of customers who seem to play by a different set of rules. They order off-menu, say things that would get anyone else kicked out, and somehow still get a warm hello, their drink poured beforeContinue reading “Why the Bar Regulars Get Away With Almost Everything (and Shouldn’t Always) “
Benefits of Regular Journaling for Writers
Professional writers can enhance their creativity and freedom by incorporating regular journaling into their routines. Your journal is a space for unfiltered expression, so it can be as neat or messy as you want. No one is grading it, so you can structure it however you want (like this blog entry) and write more formallyContinue reading “Benefits of Regular Journaling for Writers”
When Life Flips on a Dime And You’re Left Reeling
You can be riding high one minute and knocked flat on your ass the next. That’s the nature of life; not just unpredictable, but often indifferent to your plans, years of loyalty, or even the carefully curated image you’ve projected to the world. I’ve seen it happen several times in the last year. A friendContinue reading “When Life Flips on a Dime And You’re Left Reeling”
May Is The Month That Can’t Make Up Its Mind
As I wrote about last year, living near the Great Lakes brings all sorts of weather, sometimes all four seasons in one day. That said, one of the craziest months is not March, when the weather can be miserable but spring officially arrives; it is May. Living near the Great Lakes in May is likeContinue reading “May Is The Month That Can’t Make Up Its Mind”
Bar Stool Confessions and Why People Tell Their Life Story to the Bartender
It’s been said that you tell your bartender or taxi driver more of your life than you do to your shrink. After all, for the most part, they are a captive audience. And in the case of the bartender, it all starts with the first drink. During my busy travel days of yesteryear, when IContinue reading “Bar Stool Confessions and Why People Tell Their Life Story to the Bartender”
Let Go of What You Can’t Control And Take Action on What You Can
One of the great things about having a public forum like this blog is that it can sometimes be cathartic and sage advice for me, addressing my many flaws, as much as it (hopefully) is time well spent for the audience. So, without further delay, let’s get going. We all do it, even though weContinue reading “Let Go of What You Can’t Control And Take Action on What You Can”
The Digital Soapbox and Why Some Can’t Resist Commenting (and Arguing) Online
Do you want another avenue of insight, entertainment, and maybe even enjoy a few laughs? Do a deep (or shallow) dive into an online comment section where the forum ranges from insightful comments to a sparring match with more punches thrown between combatants than every Rocky movie combined. The digital landscape has irrevocably changed howContinue reading “The Digital Soapbox and Why Some Can’t Resist Commenting (and Arguing) Online”
The Unchained Columnist and Why I Visit Every Horizon
A good friend and I were chatting about everything a couple of weeks ago and, naturally, my blog came up in the conversation. He asked me why one day I’ll write about Pickleball, the next about the loudmouth at the bar, the next about the Great Lakes weather effect, and another about adult siblings driftingContinue reading “The Unchained Columnist and Why I Visit Every Horizon”
The Bartender’s Sixth Sense of Reading the Room Without Saying a Word
There’s something uncanny and intriguing about a seasoned bartender. They’re not just slinging drinks and wiping down counters like in a film noir. They’re watching, listening, and reading the room without ever letting on. To the untrained eye, they’re just moving fast and pouring accurately. But to anyone who’s worked in the business or satContinue reading “The Bartender’s Sixth Sense of Reading the Room Without Saying a Word”
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