Pete Michaud

How to Draw

The Last Psychiatrist just released an article that beautifully articulates a point I’ve made weakly several times in my writing. The point is essentially that we project so much of our own meaning onto the world that we forget to see what’s actually there. … Edwards calls this the...

Enduring Value

I start working around 8 in the morning, and I’m normally done by 8 at night. Last week I took Sunday off, and built some games. But what am I doing that I call work? How can I look back at the end of the day and know I was “productive”? Hours worked are irrelevant. The real question is:...

Dominoes and the Price of Admission

I really wanted to quit my job. I was too afraid of the domino effect to do it though. Quitting my job meant not being able to pay my mortgage and take care of my family. We get stuck because we start thinking about the domino effect. The fear that the changes we want are going to cause a cascade of changes...

You Suck At Everything

People are born with talents. You better hope you get one that’s impressive or lucrative, because otherwise you’re screwed. Take these two artists for example: Artist #1 Artist #2 I didn’t choose these two artists so I could pick on the first one though. I actually picked these two because...

Fundamental Needs #2: Hookers & Bombs

The Air Force sent Ed to the AFAFRICA component of Africom after decades of flying C-130 cargo planes all over the world. He retired while operating out of Angola after 24 years in military service. He earned a reputation in the military for being ready, willing, and able to fly over the most dangerous...

Stress is Dirty

Stress seems unavoidable. But it’s a paradox because unavoidable as it may be, it also doesn’t exist. Not exactly. Your child is hit by a car, and totters between life and death. The morphine drip beeps as you hover over your broken son for weeks, hoping against hope that he’ll open his...

Tailgating

On Thursday morning I started driving from Florida to Austin, Texas. My Cadillac was as full as it could be while still being able to make a 1,000 mile journey. I was a little stressed because the lady whose house I had arranged to rent had backed out of the arrangement. I was headed to Texas with nowhere to...

Strong Man and Doer of Deeds

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short...

Brand New Problems

“I’m sick and tired of these same old problems. Please universe, give me some new problems to deal with!” If you feel like you’re in ground hogs day, experiencing the same problems over and over again— distant lovers, lukewarm career, friendships in tumult—then those...

Fundamental Needs #1: Whipping the Ones You Love

Julie loves dogs. She is a member of PETA, and a vegan. When she was a kid she had a dog named Bella. Bella was her best friend because her mother resented her in a way that most children only think their mothers resent them, and her scam artist dad had pissed off years prior. Julie moved every few months...