Matthew Arnold Stern

Better speaking. Better writing.

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Lessons from a year of Little League

December 2nd, 2008 · No Comments

2008 is coming to a close, and so has a wild year for me with being a part of Little League. It had its share of high and low moments, but these always come with lessons. Here are the lessons I’ve learned during the past year. [Read more →]

→ No CommentsTags: Little White Ball (Baseball) · Uncategorized

Going public

November 11th, 2008 · No Comments

How dreary to be somebody,
as public as a frog
To tell your name the livelong June
To an admiring bog.

- Emily Dickinson

The question came up, “Why do I keep a Web site? Aren’t I concerned about people finding out about me? Wouldn’t people hurt me if they knew about me? Don’t I want to keep my privacy?”

Sorry, but privacy is dead. Our personal lives are exposed in ways George Orwell couldn’t have imagined. If you have a Social Security number, a driver’s license, or a birth date; if you use a credit card, a store club program, a phone, a Web site, and e-mail; if you’ve filed a tax return, gotten married, or filled out a job application — your personal information is out in the open. And when your data isn’t being mined and catalogued, you’re being videotaped by security cameras in stores or on traffic lights. Your car or cell phone may have GPS navigation that tracks your every move. Every day, we’re surrounded by people with camera phones ready to post our mishaps on YouTube. Life in the 21st century is life in a fishbowl.

So, what do we do about it? Is there any hope for those of us who crave privacy? Or does being out in the open have benefits? [Read more →]

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Proud to be an American

November 4th, 2008 · No Comments

I’ve always considered myself to be a proud American. There were times that I felt especially patriotic: The Bicentennial, the 1984 Olympics, the first Gulf War, and after 9/11. Add today, November 4, 2008 to my list.

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My mom’s old ballpark

October 27th, 2008 · No Comments

I recently found a YouTube video of my mom’s favorite old ballpark, Gilmore Field in the Fairfax district. If you’re an old Hollywood Stars fan or buff of old ballparks, this is very exciting to see.

 

 

→ No CommentsTags: Little White Ball (Baseball)

Evaluation: The Vice Presidential Debate

October 2nd, 2008 · No Comments

I suspect that some watched tonight’s vice presidential debate for the same reason they watch NASCAR races. They wanted to see someone crash and burn, especially Sarah Palin. Well, Governor Palin didn’t crash and burn. She kept her poise, polish, and graciousness. She performed well, as did Biden. Still, the debate was painful to watch because of irritating things both candidates did.

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→ No CommentsTags: Communication in General · Insights