Archive | Growing Old is Not for Sissies

Life and Work – Have Fun When You Can

This concept presents itself in many ways. The saying “life is short, eat dessert first” is one way. But, aside from that, building fun into “the plan” is one benefit of operating a small business. While we’ve written things along these lines in the past, recent discussions with family and friends are reminders of the […]

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I can’t begin to count the number of times David’s mother, Carole, said, “Have fun!” when David and I were leaving her house to meet with a prospective client (the opposite of having fun, in my opinion); conducting mock jury research (very stressful and hard work, involving long hours); selecting a jury (the ultimate stressful […]

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Herman/Dad

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 19, 2018

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work

Dad, aka Herman, was a road warrior throughout his career, even before that term existed! And, all of his career was spent trying to keep other road warriors safe. His first job, post college, was with the now extinct Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) – a Federal agency tasked with transportation law and safety. Dad recently […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 19, 2018

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work

David’s dad is David’s dad, but to me, he is “MY Herman.” I am as fond of my father-in-law, Herman, as I am of my mother-in-law, Carole. This being said, My Herman and I have always had a special relationship. I share Herman’s love of barbeque, particularly ribs, and I have always appreciated his knowledge […]

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Carole/Mom

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 12, 2018

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work

The focus of this post is a brief reflection on my mother, Carole’s, well lived life, following a realization that it is important to consider who she really was throughout most of her life. (Her recent condition can taint those memories; see “Chicken Salad” post.) Born in Atlanta, mom moved to Jacksonville after my parents […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 12, 2018

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work

As I have mentioned in several previous posts, David’s mother, Carole, was never just my mother-in-law. A mother-in-law, in my opinion, is merely the person who happens to be the mother of one’s spouse. When marrying someone, one gains a mother-in-law, as long as one’s spouse has a mother. Mothers-in-law come in all shapes and […]

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Remembering Billy Graham

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 10, 2018

Category: Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

On the day I am writing this post, Billy Graham recently passed away at the age of 99. The tributes to him are numerous and, as a long time admirer of Rev. Graham and his unique brand of religion, including promoting Christianity to the masses, I thought it would be a good idea to add […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 10, 2018

Category: Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

I smile with the memory of Leola, so giddy with excitement, at seeing Billy Graham. I realize that no one is perfect, and Rev. Graham would probably say that before anyone else would, but is refreshing in today’s world to consider someone who did such good in the world, without a major controversy. Even his […]

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Chains or Local Restaurants?

On this dimension, I have observed that people fall into 1 of 2 categories. There are people who prefer large, national chain restaurants over local restaurants and those, like me, who prefer local restaurants over chains, for the most part. Perhaps I learned this from my Dad, who was always on the road during his […]

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No offense to the readers of this post who like chain restaurants, however, as a rule, I loathe them. I will go out of my way to avoid eating at a chain restaurant whenever possible. I prefer to patronize local eateries wherever I travel, both for business and pleasure. There are exceptions, of course, including […]

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Corporate Retreats

Although Melissa and I own a “mom and pop” business, one that is not large, we have always tried to think larger than we are! We’ve discussed some of the ways we think and act large – employee manuals, training schedules, etc. Another way we emulate larger entities is to take time, on an annual […]

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David and I rarely have an opportunity to discuss goals, plan for the future, or dream big dreams during the work day.  Most of our days in the office are spent getting ready for the next case, preparing reports based on research findings obtained in the previous case, and marketing to clients regarding future cases.  […]

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Jet Lag

Travel for business can be strenuous; so can personal travel, for that matter. And time zone crossing travel just adds to that stress. Having made 3 trips to Australia, I know about time zone crossing. Melissa and I don’t do international trips for work, but crossing even 1 or 2 or 3 time zones across […]

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Believe me: I know all about jet lag.  Early in my career as a trial consultant, I lived in Atlanta, but worked in Boston, for a company based in Los Angeles, where I had to go on a frequent basis.  In any given week, I “commuted” from Atlanta to Boston on Monday, then traveled with […]

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Fake Surveys

There is a trend in recent years for every purchase, service encounter, or dining experience to end with a customer satisfaction survey. As useful as feedback can be, it is, obvious to me that many of these “surveys” are better called “fake surveys.” That is, they lack objectivity and they lack validity. As an example, […]

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Fake surveys, like fake news, are a disservice to those who rely on them to make decisions. When I am asked to complete a survey, I complete it honestly, whether or not my answers are positive, neutral, or negative. I don’t understand the purpose of providing feedback unless it is honest, with the goal being […]

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Confronting Dementia

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 22, 2016

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

Dementia, in its many forms, are ugly diseases. As they attack the brain, they attack the body. And, in doing so, they attack bystanders all around. Family and friends are drawn into the horror of the loved one or friend and seeing the gradual, and sudden, declines that come with these diseases. Sadly, Melissa and […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 22, 2016

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

It is an unarguable fact that the human brain is the most important part of the body and, indeed, what separates people from other mammals. This being the case, it is astounding to me that, although most people hurry to obtain medical care at the first sign of many, relatively minor, medical emergencies (for example, […]

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When life gets in the way of work.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 12, 2015

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

Many Americans tend to be driven to work hard and often put work ahead of everything else.  We are unique in the world in this way and, while some of the drive is probably unavoidable to be able to afford to buy food and shelter, even those for whom survival is not an issue are […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 12, 2015

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

As John Lennon famously wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” (from “Beautiful Boy”). I interpret this song lyric to mean that, regardless of what I may have planned, sometimes, life will get in the way. There are many dimensions to life, one of which is work. As much […]

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