Time to Level the Playing Field

November 22, 2017 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

“That’s life… that’s what people say
You’re riding high in April
Shot down in May”

~ Partial lyrics of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra

Kevin Spacey.

Al Franken.

Charlie Rose.

Louis C.K.

Although riding high in April, they took a little longer to fall from grace.

I write this column on Wednesdays, it’s published started the following Sunday. In that four-day window, at the rate events are unfolding, who knows who else will be added to this tragic list.

Before I proceed; two comments:

Their alleged or admitted transgressions are not all of the same stature. It’s crucial to appreciate that there is a gradient. In the same fashion that a malnourished child stealing bread is not the same as a violent criminal robbing a bank at gunpoint; yet both are acts of theft.
There are other extremely high-profile men who have committed more vile behaviors and I have not listed them for reasons that will hopefully become apparent. This is not a partisan “hit piece.”

Having put that on the table, I admired these men, so sticking to my principles isn’t easy. But, per John Mellencamp, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

There are few “black and white” issues in my life but this is one.

[Read more…]

Days of Celebration

October 5, 2016 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

It’s a time for celebration!

Tuesday was the 22^nd anniversary of attaining my correct weight and Wednesday was the 62^nd anniversary of attaining my first breath.

Now, I realize that – on the grand scale of things – 62 is not that old, and should you be in your seventies, eighties, or nineties (God bless your genetics) please forgive me, but as I’ve pointed out before, this is the oldest I’ve ever been, causing some introspection. Please indulge me.

Understanding that 62 is a milestone in the fact that — if I so choose — I can now legally, officially, get a monthly Social Security check gave me pause to consider other life markers yet to come — and those long gone.

When I turned ten, realizing I was now in double digits, I was convinced I was “mature.”

Thirteen was significant, as I became a man in the eyes of Judaism, having my Bar Mitzvah. I turned 18 the year that we were allowed to vote; 19 put me eligible for the draft; 21 let me drink (legally); at 25, I could rent a car; 30 brought with it a sense of adulthood and 40 locked it in. At 50, the right of passage was the AARP card showing up in the mail.

Growing up listening to the Beetles’ “When I’m 64” makes that year significant. At one point, it seemed worlds away; now it’s knocking on the door. At 65, I believe I get Medicare. Passing 70 and 74 will be significant as those were the ages that my parents passed. My grandfather made it to 86; I fully intend to see that in my rear view mirror also.

Don’t misunderstand; this is in no way a tirade of the woes of aging; I’m not looking at this process at all in a negative sense (okay, maybe a wee bit).

[Read more…]

Unfair Use of the Word Sexy – Advice to Women

August 17, 2016 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

I’m dressing differently.

looking in mirror

Apparently I’m more “modern.” How do I know? Quite simply, the label on the pants I purchased have emblazoned very clearly and prominently: “modern look,” Truth be told, the trousers look identical to the “old fashioned” pair of pants that aren’t termed “modern,” but I write that off to the fact that I’m not a sophisticated enough fashionista to recognize the distinction. Tommy Hilfiger’s career is in no danger from me.

More so, in addition to being more “modern,” I’m now wearing V-neck T-shirts. I am unsure if this is the style now referred to as, “athleisure,” but they do have spandex interwoven throughout the cotton, generating a softer feel, with an additional result being that they are tad more form fitting (not too much; after all I understand I’m 61 not 31).

However, the main point is WHY I’m dressing differently.

At first, I entered the world of stretchy, softer, athleisure-lite tops purely for mercenary reasons: it was on sale for three bucks.

I frequent a certain department store because I receive enticing mailers telling me that I can save “15%, 20% or even 30%” if in certain periods. (There’s a sticker one peels off to expose the savings. Mine is always 15 percent — sigh — yet I shop anyway.) As further promotional enticement, one also receives “bonus cash” for exceeding $50 in purchases.

“That will be $51.96 please,” said the cashier.

“Cool,” said I, “That means I get the $10 in bonus cash?”

“No. The total has to be $50 before tax. Your before-tax total is only $48.02.” She pointed to the offending number in red on the computer screen. “You need $1.99 more.”

Retrieving my miserly $48.02 in merchandise, I moseyed back into mens’ clothing, beckoned by a large red and gold placard over a shirt rack proclaiming, “Clearance! Up to 80% off!” Like gold at Sutter’s Mill, I discovered a powder blue, stretchy shirt for three dollars, which – being adept at numbers — quickly grasped that it would push me over the top for my bonus cash. [Read more…]

National “Give a Compliment Day”

August 17, 2015 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

It’s national “Give a Compliment Day.”

Okay, I lied.

I am not familiar with any holiday by that name on any date but I figured it couldn’t hurt to make one, could it?

So, how do you celebrate it? [Read more…]

Reinventing Myself: Realizing What Really Matters

April 14, 2015 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

This week marks exactly one year since our dog, Jack, abruptly left us.

Appearing fine with the rising of the sun, by nightfall he was no more. That’s a grim progression to experience any time, but to complicate this horribly unpleasant and unexpected bump in our highway of life, Jack’s passing occurred the exact morning I was slated to leave town for three months of contracted work. My wife and I, heartbroken, left the veterinarian and, upon arriving home, tearfully hugged each other as I slid into my rental car, and left her forlorn and isolated in our grievously hollow home.

Intertwined throughout the choking weight of sadness I carried was woven a heavy rope of guilt. But what are you going to do? It was three months worth of employment, planned well in advance. If your occupation takes you away — even when it’s more than inconvenient — you’re bound to go.

Life goes on — so to speak.

When my travel concluded, my wife requested,

“I know you love what you do – and I want you to be happy. But, I really need you not to travel so often. Would you please try and earn more of your income here?”

I agreed, not only because of her request, but also because I had been growing weary of the travel hassles. Her vocalizing my thoughts cemented the decision. So, for the last several months, I have been “reinventing myself at 60,” not something I intended – nor something I recommend, but as they say, “Life is what happens while we’re making other plans.” Mostly, short of scurrying hither and yon sussing out new modes of income, I’m doing okay. To that end, I do more coaching, both in person and on-line. I’m producing my own local seminars. I’ve snagged more hours assisting clients with marketing and consulting. And, I’m pleased as heck that even after 20 years together, I really do still enjoy spending so many hours with my lovely bride (and how cool is it that she says she enjoys having me around).

Today however brought forth an unexpected revelation: The most difficult component of my reinvention is that I no longer know who I am.

[Read more…]

Time to Level the Playing Field

Although riding high in April, they took a little longer to fall from grace.

Before I proceed; two comments:

There are few “black and white” issues in my life but this is one.

Days of Celebration

It’s a time for celebration!

When I turned ten, realizing I was now in double digits, I was convinced I was “mature.”

Don’t misunderstand; this is in no way a tirade of the woes of aging; I’m not looking at this process at all in a negative sense (okay, maybe a wee bit).

Unfair Use of the Word Sexy – Advice to Women

I’m dressing differently.

However, the main point is WHY I’m dressing differently.

National “Give a Compliment Day”

It’s national “Give a Compliment Day.”

Okay, I lied.

Reinventing Myself: Realizing What Really Matters

This week marks exactly one year since our dog, Jack, abruptly left us.

Life goes on — so to speak.

Today however brought forth an unexpected revelation: The most difficult component of my reinvention is that I no longer know who I am.

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