“ And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done, full of tasks, claims, and demands; and let us see that we learn to take it without letting fall too much of what it has to bestow upon those who demand of it necessary, serious, and great things. “ Rainer Maria Rilke

Rilke wrote Letters to a Young Poet, a handbook for those who want to be artists and also for those who want to lead a rich…

I will, however, return to Indonesia. There is more work to do and I loved the experience.

As Rudard Kipling said, “This is a brief life, but in its brevity if offers us splendid moments, meaningful adventures.”

In January I joined the Herrmann Law Group. Great people, cool cases, good causes. We are representing a large number of family members who lost loved ones in the crash of Lion Air 610 out of Jakarta.

State Senator and WA State Insurance Commissioner Karl Herrmann founded the firm in 1950. His son Charles Herrmann and granddaughter Lara grew the firm further. …

“What could be more exciting than life in the fast lane of Hollywood? Just one long glitzy party in that familiar fantasy land of mansions and swimming pools, studios and trendy clubs. The only problem is, how do you get out of the fast lane when you find yourself slowing down?

This is starting to be the question for Bick Smith, going on 30, and his wealthy and/or talented friends Willie and Merri, Oscar and Mona, Tim and Joy. Willie and Merri will make it okay because they love each other, Oscar and Mona, probably, because they love their work…

I’ve been through countless elections. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ve kept my faith that public service and politics are a noble endeavor.

In the 1980s I was involved in an intense congressional campaign. The consultant told me something I’ve turned over in my mind several times since: campaigns are more about the mood of the voters than the quality of the campaigns. You can run the best campaign in the nation and still lose and vice versa. Still, we carry on and continue to champion our values.

I’m proud of the three campaigns we ran…

Walt Bettinger, the chief operating officer of Charles Schwab & Company, sometimes takes job candidates to breakfast. Before the meal arrives, Bettinger asks the restaurant manager to botch the applicant’s order.

For example, instead of the pancakes and orange juice she ordered, the applicant could be served bacon and a banana shake.

This, of course, is a test.

How does the applicant react? Is there anger? Is there a scene? Does it throw the candidate off-kilter?

Or does the applicant respond with coolness and grace?

As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, action is character. One of the most important lessons I’ve…

Good evening, I’m Mark Lindquist, your county prosecutor, and board member of the Tacoma Community College Foundation. I’m here tonight, however, in a different capacity. I’m here as a fellow reader and writer and fan of Dave Boling.

Many journalists try to become novelists. Most fail. Some who succeeded are famous: Hemingway, Charles Dickens, Joan Didion, Michael Connelly if you like crime fiction, and of course, Richard Ford, who was a sportswriter before he wrote the Sportswriter.

Dave’s writing reminds me of Richard Ford’s. Their styles are different, but they both have a writer’s eye for detail, and, more importantly…

“Years ago, my mother used to say to me, ‘In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.”

I’m quoting Elwood P. Dowd, the hero of “Harvey.” This classic holiday movie starring Jimmy Stewart is about a dipsomaniac and an invisible, six-foot, three-and-a-half-inch tall rabbit.

Elwood P. Dowd says things like, “I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I won out over it.”

This is not the sort of stuff you would expect a serious candidate to…

Mr. Villegas’ life savings began to dwindle under the control of his daughter. He was 81-years-old with dementia and early Alzheimer’s. Frugal, he lived on a modest income. His savings was nearly $200,000, primarily from the sale of his home, but his daughter drained his account to almost nothing over the course of a few years.

Without money, Mr. Villegas could not afford the assisted living he needed. Luckily, Mr. Villegas’ son Robert became aware of the situation and intervened. Mr. Villegas’ daughter went to prison for the theft and Mr. …