Archive | Life Outside of Work

When You Notice Something Nice, Say So

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 18, 2022

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health

Many people’s mothers, mine included, endorsed the premise, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” I’m not sure I agree with this notion 100%, but this post concerns the opposite situation, that is, saying something nice whenever it is possible to do so. I like to make people’s day a […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 18, 2022

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health

One of my nieces recently took a job at a large retailer where she monitors the self service check out.  One comment relayed to my by her dad, my brother, is that she finds people less engaging in that environment.  Indeed, when I use self checkout, it seems more “sterile” and less customer friendly than […]

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It’s Later Than You Think. Yes it Is!

Some time ago, David and I wrote a post about something my mom used to say, “Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think.”(https://magnusinsights.com/2019/03/its-later-than-you-think/) This post is a follow up and serves as a reminder that it really IS later than you think. And, for that matter, it really is later than I think too! A […]

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Know What You Don’t Know

Many years ago, a college professor of mine told me that knowing what you don’t know (or that you don’t know something) is an important sign of intelligence. It was an enlightening discussion and I think I’ve mentioned this in another post. But, it bears further discussion because we seem to live in a world […]

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John Lennon

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 5, 2022

Category: Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Travel

It’s about time I wrote a post about one of my favorite people, John Lennon. I’ve been a fan of the greatest band of all time, The Beatles, since 1964, when my wonderful father bought me their first album, “Introducing …The Beatles,” released on Vee-Jay Records. Although I liked Paul, George, and Ringo, it was John who […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 5, 2022

Category: Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Travel

I was poorly prepared for the world of The Beatles and John Lennon when I met Melissa. I was not familiar with rabid Beatles fanatics, or as they are sometimes called, Beatles Freaks. It took me some time to comprehend Melissa’s lifelong love of The Beatles and John Lennon. I mean, I knew who the […]

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The M’s

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 27, 2022

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

I have a friend named Marilyn Einbinder. We met several years ago at a Passover Seder hosted by her son, Marc, and daughter-in-law, Susan. Marc and Susan are our wonderful Megan’s parents and it was Megan who invited me to attend her family’s Seder. Immediately upon being introduced to Marilyn, I knew we were going […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 27, 2022

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

I think it is wonderful that M (Melissa) and M (Marilyn) clicked as they did.  We’ve told M (Marc) he should have introduced them sooner.  One never knows in life when connections will be made and this one was a bit of a surprise.  Marilyn likes living a rich, full, life, and Melissa shares this […]

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You can go to Wal-Mart, Kmart…

David and I have different ways of accomplishing the same task. We are frequently engaged in debates about how to perform seemingly simple tasks. When we catch ourselves in the midst of another debate about some mind numbing chore, one of us usually says, “You can go to Walmart, Kmart (sadly, that’s no longer an […]

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The good news is that it usually lightens the mood when these discussions ensue.  Or I should say, it now does.  My Dad’s tendency in this regard sometimes got irritating in that he questioned so many trivial items.  This includes debating in which parking space I should park when taking him and Mom to dinner […]

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Ziggy’s Birthday Is Still an Event

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 13, 2022

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

I will always and forever miss Ziggy. For those of you who never met Ziggy, he was my cat and my friend for 19 years. I loved Ziggy so much that, after his passing, I wrote a book about him. I fell in love with Ziggy on October 31, 1977. It is the only time […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 13, 2022

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

Ziggy lives on in many ways.  Melissa’s book (available on Amazon) is high on that list.  Ziggy touched many people’s lives and his story is entertaining.  He was “old” when I met him, with old being relative – he was 9.  But he and Melissa were inseparable.  He did things his way, like Sinatra.  And, […]

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Expand Your Horizons: Johnny Cash, Jazz…

Expand your horizons. Exit your comfort zone. Try new things. Visit new places. Meet new people. These are mantras to which I aspire. Many people are too afraid to venture outside things they’ve always done. They go to the same restaurants, then order the same things off the menu. When it comes to music, some […]

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How broad one’s horizons, or comfort zones, are is probably relative.  While some people consider Melissa and me to be adventurous in certain respects like music or food, I know, I for one, still draw a line somewhere.  I know I have limitations based on foods because of 2 things.  One is an allergy issue […]

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Probing Questions and Difficult Answers

I went to my primary care physician recently for my annual check up. (As an aside, my physician is smart: He has a Ph. D. in addition to an M. D.) My physician is committed to helping medical students with their education. He has mentored medical students from The University of Miami for decades and […]

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I loved hearing the story Melissa related about the young medical student shortly after her check up.  It was a classic example of how Melissa’s interactions with the world are sometimes more than what people bargained for on any given day.  I hope that, not only did this make a lasting  impression on this future […]

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Alaskan Cruises

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 18, 2022

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

Having just returned from Alaska, I am more aware than ever that going to Alaska means, for many people, taking a cruise. But, Melissa and I aren’t cruisers, so we did a land tour. Nonetheless, it is now impossible to be in Alaska without encountering cruisers. From the gift (junk) shops in Anchorage to Denali, […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 18, 2022

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

As everyone who knows me is aware, I have good reasons for not being a fan of cruises.  I also dislike the changes they have brought to one of my formerly favorite places, Key West.  The changes cruise lines and their passengers have brought to Alaska in the 31 years between David’s and my visits […]

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